Belgian Malinois, Fiji, 12, joined Surrey Police as a puppy and spent six years working with the Surrey and Sussex Joint Dog Unit as a general purpose police dog.
She was rushed into emergency surgery on January 6 after her former handler and now owner, Claire Bird, noticed she was being sick.
Claire said: “I went to check on her and I noticed her stomach was getting bigger and rushed her to the vet. I was panic-stricken and rushed down in my pyjamas and a coat!”
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation stepped in to pay the £4,300 bill (Image: Thin Blue Paw Foundation)
Vets x-rayed her and rushed her straight into surgery while Claire waited nervously for news.
Claire said: “Vets said if I didn’t hear from them then it would be good news so when they rang me half an hour into the surgery to say she’d need her spleen removed too I was terrified, but thankfully she pulled through.”
Fiji stayed overnight at the vets before returning to her home, in West Sussex, on Tuesday. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation – a charity which supports and rehabilitates retired police dogs – has stepped in to pay the £4,300 bill.
Fiji joined the police at just four-months-old. She had been rescued after her owner tragically committed suicide and was then paired with Claire, who had recently returned from maternity leave.
Fiji saved lives while serving as a police dog (Image: Thin Blue Paw Foundation)
She was a committed police dog and even saved lives during her career.
Claire said: “An emergency call came in for a high-risk missing person and there were concerns he may have been suicidal. Within just a few hours, thanks to Fiji’s amazing nose and her training, we located him. He was unconscious but alive; and Fiji had saved his life. She’s a true hero.”
Fiji received a commendation for her work that night. Unfortunately, her career ended early when she pulled the ligaments in her leg jumping for a toy. She retired to live with Claire and her family.
Claire added: “I’ve kept all of my working dogs when they retire and, as any dog owner knows, taking care of them is expensive. But I couldn’t turn my back on them after everything they’ve given.”
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