Shropshire man arrested in fraud investigation as £20,000 police dog fund cash paid back
People who donated more than £20,000 to a police dog campaign are being refunded after an online fundraising page was removed and an arrest was made.
Thousands of people offered support to Sergeant David Evans, who wanted to keep his dog Ivy when he retired but was told he could not do so.
A Go Fund Me page was set up by a member of the public, which received more than £20,000 in donations but has since been removed. People who donated money to the campaign are now being refunded and police today confirmed that a 32-year-old man from the Market Drayton area has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.
John Coventry, head of UK communications for Go Fund Me, said: “The campaign in question was removed a number of weeks ago and Go Fund Me is refunding donors, who should get in touch.”
The fundraising drive came after Sergeant David Evans, 59, from Market Drayton, was told that he was not allowed to keep four-year-old police dog Ivy when he retires.
A petition was originally set up by Sergeant Evans’ daughter Jennie to keep the pair together, which more than 130,000 people, including celebrity supporter Angie Best, signed.
It was then taken over by a member of the public, who also set up a Go Fund Me page. The money was being collected to allow Sgt Evans to keep the dog and pay West Mercia Police to train a replacement.
But the force rejected the idea and has now rehomed the dog with another officer.
Anne Tugwell, of West Mercia Police, today confirmed an arrest had been made, adding: “The force is investigating a potential fraud. A 32-year-old man from the Market Drayton area has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and released under investigation.”
The Fraud Advisory Panel today warned there is a “dark side” to online giving websites.
Anyone who gave to the fund should contact gofundme.com/contact
