Fundraiser for retired Sussex Police dog who ate toy

Eight-year-old German Shepard RPD Finn, who served with Sussex Police for five years, spent weeks at the vets after he fell critically ill from blockages in his stomach and intestines.

Vets worked round the clock to save Finn who was suffering from sepsis - but his vet bills quickly reached tens of thousands of pounds.

Finn at the vets (Image: Thin Blue Paw)

The Blue Paw Foundation, a national charity which supports retired police dogs and their owners, stepped in to help cover the costs of his treatment.

Charity trustee Kieran Stanbridge said: “Finn gave years of his life to help fight crime in Sussex and keep his local communities safe.

"But on his retirement, his care fell solely to his owners and, sadly, they were unable to insure him so now they’ve been left with an incredibly intimidating bill to fund."

Owners are often unable to find pet insurance due to the working life of police dogs, many are left with ongoing vet bills which can amount to thousands.

German shepard Finn (Image: Thin Blue Line)

Finn worked with his handler Sue West from 2016 to 2021, where he retired aged six due to hip dysplasia.

He went to live with Sue and her partner Adam, along with four other dogs, at their home in West Sussex.

Adam said: "Finn loves retired life but still finds it hard when Sue leaves to go to work with her current working police dog.

"He still wants to go with her and often pushes his way through the door to try to go to work.

“Despite that, Finn has enjoyed his well-earned retirement, going on holidays and enjoying long walks."

Finn in a field of bluebells (Image: Thin Blue Paw)

On May 8, however, this all changed. The pair rushed him to an emergency vet when he suddenly fell ill at home.

He had ingested part of a toy which then got stuck in his stomach and small intestine.

He had surgery on May 10 to remove the toy, but was then rushed into a specialist vets a few days later when he fell seriously ill with sepsis peritonitis.

One of the incisions in his small intestines was degrading and leaking into his body so had to be cleaned up and flushed through.  

Adam said: “He was in a critical condition and needed round-the-clock care with the specialists to bring his infections under control and try to get his stomach working again.” 

He needed a number of operations to help him recover, and spent weeks in a specialist clinic in Surrey where vets described him as an "absolute fighter."

Adam and Finn (Image: Thin Blue Paw)

He has since returned home with his owners, where he will continue to recover from the ordeal.

The dog was registered with the Thin Blue Paw for 18 months when the incident happened.

Adam added: "We would have found the money somehow, but it would have been incredibly difficult.

"Our dogs are like family so we would have done whatever we needed for Finn."

Finn's vet bills have exceeded £22,000 to date, and the foundation is asking the public to help them cover the costs.

Charity trustee Kieran added: "He was in a critical condition and it was touch-and-go whether he'd pull through, but thanks to expert care, he is now back home recovering with his owners.

"This has come at a cost and his vet bills have climbed to a staggering £22,000. We've offered to contribute towards the costs of his care but we need your help as this is a huge amount to fund."