'Resilient' police dog recovering from infection

A retired police dog is recovering after an infection left her "lucky to be alive".

Polly the 11-year-old German shepherd-Belgian malinois cross had been in good health until owner PC Claire Harrison noticed a tiny cut on her leg in July.

The Surrey and Sussex Police Dog Unit veteran's leg swelled up to three times its normal size and required emergency vet treatment, according to the police officer.

"She is very resilient and I'm sure that's got her through," said Harrison, who was Polly's handler for part of the dog's service.

Polly went to live with Harrison in Sussex after the dog retired in 2022 and has been her "best friend for almost 10 years".

The PC credited Polly with pinning a knife-wielding attacker to the floor to prevent them reaching the PC in one incident, as well as helping her to recover from a knee injury.

"When Polly retired and was returned to me it was so special," Harrison said.

"She was my therapy dog through everything and my nine-year-old daughter, who'd grown up alongside her, was so happy to have her home."

After Polly's leg became infected and ballooned in size, a vet told the PC her companion was "extremely poorly" and "the next 48 hours would be critical".

Harrison said her "heart sank" as she expected the cost of care to cost thousands of pounds.

Thin Blue Paw, a charity which supports retired police dogs, covered the £4,000 vet bill for Polly's treatment and antibiotics.

"Without [the support] I may have had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life, coupled with the guilt that financially I couldn't help my best friend," the PC said.

The charity's founder Kieran Stanbridge said Polly had "pounded the pavements of Surrey and Sussex" keeping the public safe.

"The cost of her care fell to Claire and, with an ageing dog and no insurance, that can be a huge financial responsibility," he said.

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