26 August 2023 , 09:13
584
0
A hero police dog who was left needing £4000 surgery after a thug attacked him while on duty is now looking for a forever home after leaving the force.
PD Remo was honoured by former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for his bravery alongside his handler PC Paul O'Donnell in 2020 after the traumatic incident.
The pair were responding to a call when they were attacked with a metal bar by a thug trying to flee after assaulting his former partner, the Daily Record reports. Jamie O’Neill had assaulted his former partner and hurled a brick through a window when Remo caught up with him in Kilwinning.
In response the thug battered the dog before biting part of his ear off. PC O'Donnell was left hospitalised while Remo needed emergency root canal surgery with a £4000 titanium implant.
Remo retired in March 2020 and was honoured by Nicola Sturgeon alongside the Police Federation. During his service, he worked as a General Purpose Dog and a Firearms Support Dog. Now, the Belgian Malinois cross faces being put in kennels if a suitable home can't be found. An urgent appeal has been launched by Hero Paws which provides support to ex-military and service dogs to find Remo a permanent home.
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe
Remo is a great dog but needs a special home to look after him now the charity said (heropawsuk/Facebook)The charity said in a post: "Retired Scottish police dog Remo is looking for a new home due to a change in circumstances He's a great lump of a lad with a pure heart of gold but has does come with quirks and demons from a hard-working life. Physically fit but a wee broken soul, so a little extra care is needed in the great wide world. He's a fab dog but does have trauma from his working days so he needs a knowledgeable home.
"We've had some fab offers but he's not an easy slot. This can't be an if but or maybe. This needs to be his forever. Unfortunately it's looking like kennels, and as cared for as he will be it's not something we want to do to mess him about from home environment to kennels again. However, the ideal home comes with some strict requirements with Remo being unable to live with other pets, children and needs to be kept away from any postmen and delivery drivers."
PC Paul O'Donnell said Remo was a great dog who always had his back (heropawsuk/Facebook)O’Neill, 35, was jailed for two years at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in July 2019 with another year’s supervision after his release. Paying tribute to his four-legged comrade, PC O’Donnell previously said: “He’s a great dog. Say if we go to meet someone, he’ll be lying on his back getting his belly rubbed. He’s the friendliest dog you’ll ever meet. But what people forget is that when he goes into work mode, he’s an absolute machine. To me, he’s perfect. He’s a great dog to have about and I obviously know he has my back.”
Hero Paws hopes to find him a home to live 'his best life on new adventures with his family and pals.' Anyone wishing to adopt Remo can do so by contacting [email protected].