Retiring Police Officer Is Struggling to Get Custody of His K9 Partner

By Margo Gothelf 2 min read

A bond between a police officer and his dog can be very strong. Just ask Sergeant David Evans.

Sergeant Evans had spent 34 years serving the Mercia Police Force in the United Kingdom. About four years ago, Evans was given a police dog named Ivy. The duo quickly became inseparable and formed the ultimate bond.

However, when Evans decided to retire, he was informed that Ivy could not go with him. The sergeant was distraught and knew he needed to find a way to keep Ivy with him.

Evans offered to buy Ivy for a hefty price of $40,000, yet the West Mercia Police force denied his request.

Evans was saddened that he could not take Ivy with him. His daughter, Jennie Evans, saw just how sad her dad was and started a petition online hoping to reunite the pair.

“West Mercia Police think putting Ivy into the hands of another handler is a ‘sensible’ thing to do, they are reluctant to take into consideration the distress and heartbreak that would be caused by removing Ivy from the loving home she has with my dad and our family, the heartbreak – not just for us but for Ivy, anyone who owns a dog knows the bond that is made and the distress that can be caused by separation,” Jennie Evans wrote on Change.org.

She continued, “In the past four years, they have spent every day together and have created a special and unique bond with one another. It is truly something you have to see to believe.”

Since being posted online the petition has reached over 140,000 signatures. However, the petition isn’t changing the minds of the police force.

“The number of signatures is not the main driver – it is what is best for the animal and for the community we serve. It might of (sic) been helpful to have raised the matter directly with the Chief Constable, before starting the public campaign,” West Mercia Police wrote on Facebook.