Paw patrol: Rescue dog retires after 300 missions

Fire service rescue dog Diesel has retired after more than 300 missions in Scotland and abroad.

Based in Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, springer spaniel Diesel has eight years of service – or approximately 55 ‘dog years’.

He has been working side-by-side with handler Gary Carroll, a crew commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

The pair were deployed to Nepal in 2015 as part of the UK’s International Search and Rescue team after an earthquake hit the region and thousands of people lost their lives.

Eleven-year-old Diesel was the first search dog employed by SFRS and will officially hand over the lead to his protégé, Mac.

Mr Carroll said: “Myself and Diesel have had a great working relationship over the years.

“I’ve had him since the day he was born and have been able to watch him grow into an incredible search dog.

“When we’ve attended incidents he’s always checking that I am OK; in the same way that I have done with him.”

Diesel’s replacement Mac is a four-year-old English springer spaniel who has been an operational search dog with the national service since October 2019, also based in Portlethen, Aberdeenshire.

Martin Blunden, chief officer for the SFRS, said: “Firstly, I want to thank Diesel for his service – he’s been an important part of our response across Scotland for a number of years now.

“Even though he sees searching as a game, he’s dedicated a large part of his life to helping people when they are in need and that should be commended.”