PC Paul Burns and his partner Wolf the police dog (Image: Supplied)
An appeal has been launched to help a hero police dog retire with his handler and family in Australia. Police dog (PD) Wolf has served in Nottinghamshire Police for the eight years and tackled knife-wielding maniacs, run down fleeing suspects and protected the public and his human officer colleagues countless times.
Belgian Malinois Wolf, who lives with his handler Police Constable Paul Burns, 45, and his family near Nottingham, is now approaching retirement age. When any service dog retires, be it from the police, prison service, fire, Border Force etc, the costs of keeping the animal are no longer paid for by the government, so handlers must pick up the tab.
Paul and colleagues like him are more than happy to care for their canine colleagues, but the charity National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) also offers help covering costs, such as for veterinary care, which can be more needed for ex-working animals.
The charity has now launched an appeal to help cover £6,000 in re-location fees for Wolf, whose family hope he can come with them to Perth, Western Australia, where Paul will be transferring to work for the police in the city.
☀️ On the longest day of the year, we’re launching an appeal for PD Wolf – a devoted and courageous police dog who has spent 8 years protecting the people of @nottspolice with unwavering loyalty and bravery.
After a lifetime of service, his final mission should be simple: to… pic.twitter.com/P1pGt3oNYY
— NFRSA (@The_NFRSA) June 21, 2026
Since starting on Sunday the appeal has already reached nearly £3,000.
The huge move has eaten into almost all the family’s savings and the money needed to take Wolf is proving just too much for them to raise.
Paul, who be relocating with his wife Zoe, and children Billy 15, Heidi 13, and 11-year-old Henry, said: “As a family, we have made the difficult decision to move to Australia, where I will continue my policing career and where new opportunities await our children.
“Throughout this process, one thing has never changed – our determination to keep Wolf with us.
“Wolf has spent almost his entire life serving the public. He has given everything to his job, and we cannot bear the thought of him spending retirement away from the only family he has ever known. He deserves to enjoy it surrounded by the people who love him most.”
Paul, Wolf and Lady Bathurst, founder of the NFRSA who have launched an appeal (Image: Supplied)
In 2023, Wolf helped bring an end to a series of knife attacks carried out by a man riding an e-scooter around Mansfield, Notts. Despite the offender fleeing at speed, Wolf caught and detained him while he was still carrying a knife.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Wolf prevented further victims that day,” added Paul, “Throughout his career, Wolf has tracked dangerous offenders across fields, gardens and housing estates, located violent criminals in hiding, detained suspects fleeing stolen vehicles and protected both officers and members of the public.
“One memorable arrest saw him track a suspect for over a mile after the man had seriously injured a member of the public before fleeing. On another occasion, Wolf swam into a river to catch the driver of a stolen vehicle who thought he could escape through the water.”
Wife Zoe, 41, said Wolf had been an amazing partner for her husband at work and an incredible part of the family at home.
She said: “Our children have grown up with Wolf and are facing a huge change in their young lives. We know he will be a steadying influence on them as they adapt to a whole new life on the other side of the world. He simply wouldn’t understand if we were torn apart as a family.”
Paul, Zoe, Billy, Heidi and Henry with Wolf (Image: Supplied)
Youngest son Henry said Wolf was the only friend he could take with him to Australia. He added: “I can’t remember not having Wolf. We’re leaving all our friends behind, and Wolf is the one friend I can take with me. We really want him with us so we can feel happy and settled in our new life.
“We know moving him to Australia is expensive, and asking for help is not something we do lightly. But after a lifetime of service, bravery and loyalty, we believe Wolf deserves the retirement he has earned – with his family, where he belongs.”
Lady Bathurst, Founder and Chair of the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) said: “For Wolf, this isn’t simply about a journey to the other side of the world. It’s about ensuring that a remarkable dog who has given almost his entire life to protecting others is able to spend his retirement with the only family he has ever known.
“Equally important is the support to Paul, Zoe and their children as they embark on such a huge change in their lives.
“The move for Paul’s family has been expensive, and it has taken up most of their life savings.
“The costs to move Wolf were just beyond their reach, and I’m delighted Nottinghamshire Police reached out to the NFRSA for help, as we will do all we can and we hope, with the support of the public, we can together ensure this brave boy’s final mission is one filled with love, security and the retirement he has so richly earned.”
The NFRSA ha gifted over £290,000 in grants for service animals and the charity welcomed its 700th member last week.
Donations for this special appeal can be made via the NFRSA website or via their JustGiving page.