Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of support available for retired police dogs and their handlers following retirement from service.

Police support animals play an important role in crime detection, prevention, and public safety. The government values the bravery and skill of police dogs and their handlers, recognising the strong bond formed through their work.

Police forces are responsible for the welfare of their service animals throughout their service and into retirement. Their retirement can be a combination of local arrangements, such as charitable organisations and volunteers, the exact nature being a local decision for the force, led by Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners.

The government currently has no plans to change the retirement process for police service animals, including the funding of veterinary care.