Finances 'a factor' in decision to euthanise police dog hit by car

Police Scotland has confirmed finances were a “factor” when deciding to put a Dundee police dog to sleep despite vets giving her a “great prognosis”.

PD Zara was taken to the vet after she was struck by a car on Couper Angus Road in Kirkhill on December 11, 2024.

The then two-year-old German Shepherd suffered a number of injuries, including a fractured hip bone. Vets indicated the dog would need to have the joint “roughly reconstructed” or fully replaced.

The operation, which could be carried out in one or two stages, would have cost the force around £12,000.

During the days following the crash, Zara had walked outside and her condition was described as “comfortable” with reflexes present.

The report also stated on December 13 that her nerve function “seemed ok” and the prognosis was “great once recovered”.

A decision was later made to put Zara to sleep.

The Thin Blue Paw foundation, which is dedicated to police dogs, previously described the death of the young German Shepherd as a “tragedy”.

The charity criticised the force’s decision to euthanise the dog rather than authorise further CT scans.

A Police Scotland review has since been carried out and it deemed the decision “in keeping with relevant policies”.

Although the “financial element” was a factor during the process, it was not seen as the “primary driver”.

The force says it will now make a number of procedural changes following the review including a refresh of policies, the implementation of an independent animal welfare scheme and the improvement of record keeping when it comes to the care of Police Dogs

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The death of Police Dog Zara has had a significant impact on those directly involved and the wider police family.

“Our priority will always be the welfare of police animals.

“Police Scotland are keen to ensure that learning from the circumstances is adopted to ensure that we can continue to provide the best care for our animals and we will work in partnership to achieve this.”