Police dog who 'gave everything' needs £14k surgery

Former Kent Police dog Coty needs a major spinal surgery after retiring, an animal charity says

A retired police dog commended for her bravery will need a critical spinal surgery costing £14,000 to stop her losing all mobility, an animal charity says.

Former Kent Police dog Coty, who served for nearly four years, was involved in numerous operations including at the G7 summit in Cornwall.

She was also commended for catching criminals such as a domestic abuse suspect hiding in a crop field.

But five-year-old Coty, who retired in July 2024 after suffering from arthritis and two cysts on her spine, will now require major surgery to save her from being put down, the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) says.

'She gave everything'

PC Lisa Milligan, Coty's owner and former handler, said: "She just wants to run again.

"She lived for the job - always the first to leap into action, to sniff out a clue, to stand between danger and me.

"She gave everything and now she can't even stand properly on her own."

Coty joined Kent Police at 10 weeks old and went on to win multiple awards for obedience and tracking suspects.

Other operations she was involved in included chasing suspects from a cannabis farm and finding a road traffic collision suspect hiding in a river.

Coty and PC Lisa Milligan - her owner and former handler

Coty's retirement came after she began to lose control of her back legs, and she had surgery to remove cysts from her spine.

Now, the NFRSA say she needs stabilising rods placed into two areas of her spine.

The charity is fundraising to pay for the surgery.

Coty's surgery comes amid calls from animal charity the Thin Blue Paw for ex-police dogs to receive a pension to pay for vet costs.

The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, patron of the NFRSA, said: "Coty's tragic story reminds us of their dedication. I hope the entire country gets behind this beautiful police dog, whose shining career has been cut so tragically short."