Brave police dogs who were injured in disorder given welfare donation by charity

Two of our brave police dogs who suffered injuries in the violent disorder in Staffordshire have been given welfare packs by a charity.

Thin Blue Paw, a charity foundation that protects, celebrates and rehabilitates both serving and retired police dogs across the UK, donated the gifts to the canines on Monday (16 September) after they helped to raise £9,000-worth of welfare packs for the service dogs who were injured during the senseless disorder that happened nationally.

PC Leah Smith and her furry companion, PD Bones, were both on the frontline in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth when the disorder happened in August, alongside PC Sam Jones and his dog, PD Vixen.

In Tamworth, PD Vixen was hit on the head with a brick when she was challenged by a band of thugs.

She recovered from her injuries at home and was eager to get back out with her handler as soon as possible.

She’s been busy sniffing out suspects ever since. She was sent in when two men tried to run from a car in Stafford on 31 August following reports of an attempted burglary. She found one of them hiding in a tree and other one behind a bin and made her arrests.

In Stoke-on-Trent, PC Smith and PD Bones were pelted with missiles and abuse throughout the day. PD Bones had to be put on garden rest as a result.

Thankfully, she made a full recovery and went back to work shortly after. 

Just like her colleague PD Vixen, she’s been busy protecting the public and going after those involved in crime ever since she came back on duty.

On Thursday (12 September), she detained a man who tried to run from a cannabis grow in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, and has been deployed to a number of jobs alongside her handler across Staffordshire.

Thin Blue Paw trustee Kieran Stanbridge – who delivered five welfare packs to our dog unit on Monday – said: “Our police dogs run into dangerous situations every day and, sadly, sometimes that means they’re injured in the line of duty.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the nation’s police dogs – like PD Bones and PD Vixen – and to say thank you we launched a fundraiser to pay for welfare packs to send to dogs across the country.

“The packs included toys and treats for the dogs to enjoy in their downtime, as well as canine first aid kits which their handlers can carry in order to treat any injuries they might sustain while on duty.”

To read more about Thin Blue Paw, visit the link here: Thin Blue Paw Foundation