Scotland’s top police dogs unit hit by ‘mystery illness’ feared to be linked to flooding
SCOTLAND’S top dog cop unit has been struck down with a mystery illness amid chronic flooding at their base, we can reveal
Top brass at the Pollok Country Park site in Glasgow are closely monitoring the force’s four-legged crime busters with fears the current station is not fit for purpose.
A source said: “A number of them have become quite sick and it’s obviously a big concern for their handlers who develop such a close bond with the animals.”
A long-standing issue with flooding at the leafy location is behind the mooted move, as well as worries over the welfare of highly-trained dogs used for sniffing out drugs and snaring criminals.
The force has confirmed a number of dogs in the crack unit have been left feeling rough with a mystery illness – but say it’s unclear if this is connected to the flooding woes.
However, they are in the process of hunting for a new location that would end the unit’s stay at the park – also home to the Scottish Police Dog Memorial.
A source with knowledge of the PC dog welfare fears said last night: “The base at Pollok Park has been at the mercy of flooding problems for ages and the fear is the dogs’ health is now at risk.
“There’s been talk it’s linked to the flooding issue but nobody knows for sure.
“But the bottom line is, even without the illness, the unit can’t function properly in the park due to the flooding and it’s time to look elsewhere.”
It’s understood the welfare of the animals is being closely monitored on a daily basis.
Chiefs admit dogs based at the site have “occasionally become unwell” but they insist it has not been to “an excessive degree”.
Insiders say it hasn’t been possible to establish for certain if the sickness is flood-related or natural but bosses have decided a move could be the best solution.
The unit has three types of police dogs based there, among a Pollok police pack of around 30 kennels to cover the west of Scotland.
They include general purpose pooches – commonly German Shepherds – used for crowd control, finding missing people as well as chasing and detaining suspects.
Specialist dogs – usually Springer Spaniels – are used to search for drugs, money, guns or ammunition, and explosive detection dogs are skilled in searching for dodgy devices.
Across the country there are 144 dogs with other bases at Fettes, Larbert, Glenrothes, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
The Scottish Police Dog Memorial facebook page is awash with images of past and present pooches enjoying training and leisure time at the park in recent years.
A £35,000 sculpture by artist John Doubleday featuring PD Ziggy was unveiled in September 2022 to commemorate the nation’s furry crimefighters.
It’s located inside the green space on Pollok Avenue, a short walk from the training kennels that now look destined for closure.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The Police Scotland Dog Training Unit at Pollok Country Park has been affected by a risk of flooding for some time.
“Established plans are in place to mitigate against the risk to dogs and personnel caused by flooding and we are considering long term alternative options for the future of the facility.
“Capacity and the daily operation of the unit is unaffected and the issues are being monitored.”
Scotland’s brave police dogs have been hailed down the years for their heroic work, loyalty and occasional cuteness.
Among the force’s top dogs, past and present, was PD Patch who carried out security for the royals at the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire before she passed away on August 2, 2020.
The springer spaniel also worked at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
A year later, she met the Queen with handler Steve Warden. A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Her loyalty to the force knew no bounds.”
Last month PD Sully helped find a vulnerable missing man, aged 79, while doggie colleague PD Halley located a troubled 36-year-old man – just 15 minutes after beginning the sniffing operation.
PD Halley was also hailed for tracking down a woman who bolted after crashing her car in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
PD Bono and PD Juno were in the spotlight in 2017 when they wore special devices to provide a dog’s eye view of a training exercise.
The footage showed the pair’s perspective as they searched fields and woods for “criminals”.
PD Bono later became a viral internet hit when he was filmed taking on the so-called “toilet roll challenge” where pooches leap over a mountain of loo rolls.
In May, police dogs and handlers from across the UK got to showcase their agility, obedience and police work skills at the 62nd Police Dog Trials at Police Scotland HQ, Tulliallan.
The police pooches’ amazing efforts are documented on the force’s Police Scotland Dogs’ social media channels including X, formerly known as Twitter.