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Cambridgeshire police dog's career saved by cataract operation | Cambridgeshire police dog's career saved by cataract operation |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A police dog's career has been saved after his bosses agreed to pay more than £3,000 for a cataract operation. | A police dog's career has been saved after his bosses agreed to pay more than £3,000 for a cataract operation. |
Ozzy's problems came to light when handler PC Paul Huggett noticed a "blue tinge" in his eyes. | |
Cataracts were diagnosed by a vet but police decided to "give him a chance" and sanctioned the expensive treatment. | Cataracts were diagnosed by a vet but police decided to "give him a chance" and sanctioned the expensive treatment. |
PC Huggett said without the operation, Ozzy would have had to retire from his job tracking down contraband drugs, weapons and cash. | |
The dog has now returned to work and on his first assignment found "50 rocks of crack cocaine in Peterborough". | The dog has now returned to work and on his first assignment found "50 rocks of crack cocaine in Peterborough". |
Ozzy, who is eight, is part of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire dog unit and is based in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire. | Ozzy, who is eight, is part of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire dog unit and is based in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire. |
'See where he's going' | 'See where he's going' |
Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop in the lens of the eye and can cause blurred or misty vision. If untreated the condition is likely to deteriorate. | Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop in the lens of the eye and can cause blurred or misty vision. If untreated the condition is likely to deteriorate. |
PC Huggett, who has had Ozzy since the dog was six months old, said: "[Police dogs] use their nose to search, but Ozzy still needs to see where he's going. | |
"We had a meeting with the bosses and it was decided we would give him a chance. | "We had a meeting with the bosses and it was decided we would give him a chance. |
"He's a very good dog, he's a natural searcher." | "He's a very good dog, he's a natural searcher." |
The cost of the procedure was in excess of £3,000. | The cost of the procedure was in excess of £3,000. |
Specialist Newmarket-based vets Dick White Referrals carried out the operation and nursed Ozzy back to health. | Specialist Newmarket-based vets Dick White Referrals carried out the operation and nursed Ozzy back to health. |
"We did a lot of research about where he should go to get the best care and aftercare," PC Huggett said. |