Beloved police husky honoured in final charity walk

Insp Andy Robinson started the walks 13 years ago with his huskies Loki (pictured) and Thor, who died last year

A police inspector finished a final 20km (12.4 mile) charity walk as part of a mission to raise £20,000 for charity that he started with his huskies 13 years ago.

One of the dogs, Thor, died of cancer last year while the other, Loki, is no longer strong enough to complete the whole walk.

But Insp Andy Robinson, from Merseyside Police, said this year's walk would finally reach the £20,000 goal which he dedicated to Thor's memory.

"Losing Thor last year was devastating, and as hard as it is, I know we have to be realistic: Loki won't be with us forever," he said. "Finishing what we started together, though, keeps Thor with me."

Insp Robinson finished his walk on a rainy Friday afternoon at the force's Operational Command Centre in Speke, greeted by police staff, officers and dogs.

This year donations will be made to the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA).

Chairwoman of the charity, Lady Bathurst of Cirencester, said it was "amazing" to watch Insp Robinson finish his walk.

Insp Robinson was greeted by officers, staff and retired dogs, as well as Lady Bathurst (second from right) who chairs the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals

"I know how much energy and effort and love and kindness and thought has gone into it and he's been working on this for absolutely ages," she said.

"He's got all his mates and colleagues and family behind him."

She said service dogs are only funded until their retirement, but their handlers develop "special bonds" after raising them from puppies.

One retired service animal waiting to greet the inspector was Zoe, a German Shepherd who was injured and psychologically traumatised on deployment to the Southport riots last summer.

She is now cared for by officer Scott Patterson, who said: "She had a lot of issues with injuries but also the mental side of it as well and it wasn't fair for her to continue working so we were offered the opportunity to adopt Zoe which we obviously took up straight away."

'We don't abandon them'

Also there was Insp Beth Blake with Myla, a former sniffer dog she adopted after it was forced to retire at just four years old due to losing an eye.

"Me and my husband just wanted the opportunity to give her that life because obviously she's only young," she said.

Speaking after completing his walk, Insp Robinson said: "When you work with animals, and they're not only your pets but your colleagues, it creates a very special relationship.

"When they can't work anymore, we don't abandon them, we make sure they're looked after.

"They've worked hard and served loyally to the best of their ability – they deserve to be taken care of. That's why I chose to do this last walk – which is so meaningful to me – for The Foundation for Retired Service Animals."