‘Hero’ ex-police canine wants quiet home to calm nervousness

A “heroic” ex-police canine whose profession ended after a suspect beat him with a steel pole is in want of a brand new home.

Nine-year-old Remo, a Belgian Malinois cross, spent seven years working with Police Scotland earlier than the violent assault in Kilwinning in 2019.

It left him considerably injured in addition to extremely anxious round unfamiliar folks.

He is being cared for by ex-service canine charity Hero Paws who’ve opened an software for potential homeowners.

If they’re unable to discover a appropriate home, he can be despatched to dwell in kennels because the small organisation can not afford to take care of dogs completely.

Founder Jaime Garner described Remo as a “loving, affectionate canine” seeking a quiet life on the sofa.

Remo was a common objective canine and a firearms assist canine with Police Scotland, successful a number of awards over his profession.

He has chased down intercourse criminals, discovered susceptible lacking folks and recovered class A medicine in addition to stolen property.

In March 2019, Remo was despatched by his handler to apprehend a person in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, who had assaulted his companion.

The man struck Remo and the officer within the face with a steel pole, fracturing the canine’s jaw and a number of other enamel. He then bit a gap in Remo’s ear.

Despite important accidents, the canine held the person down till officers had been capable of arrest him.

Remo needed to be fitted with a titanium tooth and was given an award for bravery by then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The officer, who additionally wanted hospital remedy, stated on the time of award that he knew Remo “at all times had his again”.

The violence left Remo traumatised and he ultimately retired final yr.

His handler contacted the workers at Hero Paws, who quickly take care of ex-police and army animals whereas acquainting them with life outdoors the service.

This means getting them used to home environments, which they might not be used to if they’ve lived in kennels whereas on obligation.

Hero Paws had been capable of rehome Remo with a household in Dorset for round eight months.

However, their circumstances modified and the home was not appropriate for Remo’s wants.

The charity is searching for a long-term proprietor with no youngsters or different pets and have warned he could react to postal staff and supply drivers.

Ms Garner stated: “Remo is a loving affectionate canine – he is 9 so he is actually embedded in a lazy outdated man lying-on-the-couch angle.

“He’s very sweet-natured but when somebody seems nervous in direction of him he’ll get nervous. He’s reactive to folks and dogs, and should bark.

“The work he did was completely heroic. We’ve had dogs who’ve been shot and continued to carry folks down. It’s wonderful for a canine who has gone via what he has gone via and nonetheless belief folks.”

Police Scotland at the moment has 139 dogs in its service.

After retirement, the dogs don’t obtain any monetary assist from the drive and are in the end the duty of their handler or new proprietor.

According to Ms Garner, who’s former army personnel, some dogs could be delicate to loud noises after they retire if they’ve beforehand labored round firearms or explosions.

Many dwell in kennels via their careers and can be nervous round home equipment equivalent to washing machines, she stated.

Another problem could be that dogs go to houses with inexperienced homeowners who could determine to surrender the animals.

She stated: “There are various kinds of folks – some genuinely need to rehome the dogs however for some it is bravado and so they need to be seen to have a police canine.

“Dogs like Remo for instance are going to want extra space from different dogs. It’s a case of understanding that dogs like these could not conform to the methods of different pets.

“Some folks tackle dogs and get tired of it, nevertheless it has a detrimental impact for a canine to fall in love with household after which have to maneuver – we see a variety of that.”

Ms Garner hopes to open a sanctuary in Scotland to assist keep away from putting ex-service dogs in kennels after their retirement.

Her attraction to rehome Remo has to date attracted dozens of candidates which can undergo a vetting course of.

Police Scotland described him as a “actually unbelievable police canine” who excelled in all attributes for common objective police canine work.

A spokesperson added: “He was revered by canine handlers, frontline colleagues and administration through the years for his dedication to the job.

“Remo actually earned his retirement and we hope he finds his eternally home.”