The Thin Blue Paw aims to raise over £6,000 to pay for the operations.
A charity has launched an urgent appeal to help two retired police dogs requiring major surgery.
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation aims to raise over £6,000 to cover the costs of surgeries for RPD Miki and RPD Kenai, who both previously served with North Yorkshire Police.
Charity founder Kieran Stanbridge said the job had “taken a toll' on both dogs, leaving them “in daily pain due to arthritis and hip dysplasia”.
“Now they both need surgery to repair these major injuries so they can run and play again, he said. “They’ve both got long lives ahead, and we want to ensure they can enjoy it to the fullest.”
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is a charity that supports, rehabilitates, and advocates for working and retired police dogs across the UK.
RPD Miki, a six-year-old German Shepherd, served as a general-purpose police dog from March 2021 until October 2025. However, he was forced to retire early owing to a diagnosis of spondylosis, hip dysplasia and a ruptured cruciate ligament.
Sadly, Miki’s other cruciate ligament has ruptured, and he requires Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery.
RPD Kenai is a seven-year-old German Shepherd who also worked as a general-purpose police dog for six years before retiring at the end of last year. His owners, who also work for North Yorkshire Police, were settling into retired life well with him when he broke his leg in an accident in May.
“We were playing fetch, and as he caught the ball and turned he suddenly yelped,” his owner said. “We rushed him to the emergency vets, who carried out X-rays and discovered he’d fractured his elbow.”
Both dogs were admitted to Pennine Veterinary Referrals in Richmond.
Kenai underwent specialist surgery on Monday (11 May) to repair the fracture and strengthen the leg; he is now recovering at home with his owners. RPD Miki will have his surgery later this week.
Kieran added: “We’re incredibly proud to be there for Miki and Kenai, but we need your help, so please donate if you can – every single pound will go to good use.”
At the time of writing, the appeal has raised £8,175 of its goal.
Image (C) Thin Blue Paw Foundation.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
