Top cops face whitewash claims over police dog death probe

Daily Record

11-05-2025

The force previously asked an inspector who authorised the young dog's euthanasia to review the case.
Police chiefs are being urged to allow an external body to review the death of a young dog after previously giving the task to the officer who permitted her to be put down.
Two and a half year old German Shepherd PD Zara was euthanised in December 2024 after being hit by a car while on a walk with her handler near Inverness.
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Despite a vet saying the dog had a 'great prognosis' if she received a £12,000 surgery, a force inspector decided she should be put down less than 48 hours after the accident.
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Sources with knowledge of the incident claimed the decision was made due to costs, which the force denies and has insisted it was about Zara's welfare.
After campaigners raised concerns about Zara's death Police Scotland chiefs said they had conducted an internal review of the case.
It has now emerged it was done by the same inspector who gave the go-ahead for the animal to be put down, prompting fears of a conflict of interest and claims of a cover-up.
Douglas Ross, Conservative MSP for the Highlands said the only way to find out what happened to Zara was for a 'fully independent review' to be carried out.
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He said: 'The Chief Constable must step-up and order this independent investigation because everything the force have done so far seems aimed at burying the truth rather than bringing the full facts out in the open.
'The inspector who was involved in the decision to put Zara down should never have been asked to carry out the review.
'Their only involvement should have been to answer questions.
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'If we are to get the answers surrounding the tragic death of Police Dog Zara then a fully independent review must urgently be carried out.'
Police Scotland have refused to say what the review found but have now instructed a new investigation headed up by staff who had no involvement in her care.
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Charity the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which helps rehome and care for retired police dogs, has also called for transparency.
Trustee Dave Wardell said: 'Upon the Foundation's request to Police Scotland in February for an independent investigation into the death of PD Zara it was extremely disappointing to learn that the investigation was assigned to the same Inspector who made the decision to euthanise Zara.
'We are therefore encouraging Police Scotland to do the right thing and commission a truly independent investigation into her death to ensure that an incident like this never happens again.'
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: 'Police dogs are a hugely important part of our police family. We are totally committed to animal welfare and looking after those in our service.
'We are reviewing our procedures to ensure that any learning from the death of PD Zara is captured.'
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