NORTH-East police are appealing for the public’s help to make a new benevolent fund for retired force dogs the biggest and best in the country.

Officers from Durham Constabulary’s Dog Support Unit, based in Spennymoor, have established ‘Paws Up’ as a pension fund for the dozens of now-retired dogs who have, between them, spent centuries biting back at crime.

The fund is the first of its kind in the region and organisers hope it will be England’s biggest.

PC Ian Squire, a dog handler for 11 years, said: “These dogs have given the best part of their working lives to serving their communities and we want to provide the best possible lives for the rest of their days, during their retirement.”

It is hoped the cause, which will be formally launched in June under the Durham Agency Against Crime charity, will help cover some of the costs of people who adopt retired police dogs as pets, such as vets’ bills, food and insurance, and will make grants totalling tens of thousands of pounds each year.

Currently, all such costs are met from police funds.

Durham Constabulary currently has 18 “general purpose” police dogs and 20 specialist dogs, including German, Belgian and Dutch Shepherds, Labradors and Cocker and Springer Spaniels.

The force recruits new dogs under two years old and their training can take up to 13 weeks to complete.

PC Squire said in certain situations a good police dog is worth ten to 12 officers. One dog, Kaiser, once tracked down an armed robber hiding in gardens after taking £2,500 from a shop in Newton Hall, Durham City.

The dogs are usually retired aged seven or eight, but can serve for up to a decade. After retirement, the animals are rehomed – usually as pets or with farmers or gamekeepers.

An average of five dogs are retired each year.

The next dog to be retired will be Harry, a Labrador with seven years’ service, in June. 

Paws Up is keen to hear from anyone wanting to support the cause, including through donations and sponsored events.

For more information, visit pawsup.org.uk, or, on Twitter, follow @DurhamPoliceK9