The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) has launched an appeal to raise £6,000 to help police dog Wolf retire with his handler and family in Australia. Wolf, a Belgian Malinois, has served Nottinghamshire Police for eight years, tackling knife-wielding offenders, chasing down suspects, and protecting the public and officers.
Wolf's Service and Retirement
Wolf lives with his handler, Police Constable Paul Burns, 45, and his family near Nottingham. As Wolf reaches retirement age, the costs of his care are no longer covered by the government, so the family must cover them. The NFRSA helps with costs like veterinary care for retired service animals.
Paul is transferring to the police in Perth, Western Australia, and the family hopes to take Wolf with them. The relocation costs are £6,000, and the appeal, launched on June 21, 2026, has already raised nearly £3,000. The move has strained the family's savings.
Family's Determination
Paul, his wife Zoe, and their children Billy (15), Heidi (13), and Henry (11) are relocating. Paul 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."
Heroic Acts
In 2023, Wolf helped end a series of knife attacks by a man on an e-scooter in Mansfield. Despite the offender fleeing, Wolf caught and detained him while he was still carrying a knife. Paul added: "There is no doubt in my mind that Wolf prevented further victims that day."
Wolf has tracked dangerous offenders, located violent criminals, and detained suspects fleeing stolen vehicles. One memorable arrest saw him track a suspect for over a mile after the man seriously injured a member of the public. Another time, Wolf swam into a river to catch a driver of a stolen vehicle.
Zoe, 41, said Wolf has been an amazing partner for her husband and an incredible part of the family. 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."
Youngest son Henry said: "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."
Charity's Support
Lady Bathurst, Founder and Chair of the 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."
She added: "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."
Donations can be made via the NFRSA website or their JustGiving page.
