Police Dog and ex-officer reunited after retirement.

As a nation of dog lovers, you all love to hear about our Police Dogs and what they get up to in their bid to sniff out crime.

Our Police Dogs are working dogs, and they all have a job to do within the force but we often get asked what happens when it’s time for their retirement?

For police dogs, the only reason they will retire is due to failing health or they are unhappy in their job. As long as our dogs are happy, and still able to do their job effectively then we keep them working and together with their handler.

But when retirement is the right option for them, we always let our handlers have first chance at keeping them at home, especially since they’ve been living at home with our officers with their paws firmly under the kitchen table.

We wanted to share with you a lovely heart-warming story of our latest retired police dog.

Quinta is one of our Police Dogs who started with our force around eight years ago, coming over from Holland to begin work in our Dog Section. PC Mick Tune was initially working in another role across Humberside Police but had always wanted to specialise as a dog handler so applied for the vacancy at the time. He met Quinta and the idea was they would work together and retire together, with Mick later keeping Quinta in a life of luxury for the rest of her days.

During their training Mick suffered a serious leg injury which required surgery but overcame this and fortunately was still able to work with Quinta. They worked numerous jobs together, and Quinta was a true sniffing super hound when it came to finding vulnerable people. Her scent work was second to none and they helped a huge number of people throughout their time together. She also bravely took down a man with a machete one early summer morning in Scunthorpe.

Quinta settled in at home with Mick’s wife, and despite them both bidding for Mick’s affection – Sharon loved her very much. It was often a game over who was on the receiving end of Mick’s hugs with Quinta laying in a ‘huff’ on the floor.

Sadly in 2022 Mick’s wife had a cancer diagnosis and Mick took early retirement to spend time with her and his family. However, Quinta was too young to retire and whilst both Sharon and Mick understood this, they knew she had to leave them to go work with a new handler, PC Phil Lusby. Phil made a vow that when Quinta retired, Mick and Sharon would have the option to have her back at home.

Quinta went on to work with Phil, during this time she won at the regional police dog trials at West Yorkshire in March 2024 and both Mick and Sharon travelled to Scotland to proudly watch the duo perform at the National police dog trials later the same year.

Despite Phil’s love for Quinta when it came to her retirement, he kept his promise and honoured this. Unfortunately, Sharon passed away in February this year and was unable to see Quinta return home – but Quinta continues to bring fun, love and comfort to Mick after the loss of his wife.

When speaking to Mick, he said: “What a day!

“A lot of emotions when Phil and Humberside Police passed over the lead and allowed Quinta to come back home to begin her retirement.

“To say I am honoured is an understatement as this little firecracker of a dog has over the past 8 years been an immense asset to both the force and Phil and myself who have been fortunate to be considered her handlers.

“When I retired in 2022 and passed the lead to Phil I did so with complete confidence that they would both continue to work hard and excel which they have with outstanding results both on the streets and on the trials field.

“I am now hopeful that Phil has the confidence in me to hand the lead back to ensure Quinta has an epic retirement.

“To have been fortunate along with Sharon to watch both compete with the UK’s elite at the National trials was a very proud moment indeed and one that is a true highlight for me, alongside the regular updates when “the girl done good”.

“Today is however somewhat poignant as many will know what a special place Sharon held in her heart for this little dog. However, I am confident that from above she’s watched us all today and I can feel her say ” Right that’s it now, No more dogs”.

“Well, she’s home now!

“Quinta ran up to me and gave me a ‘Mali hug’ – she remembers me. She’s home”.