Vet report reveals hero dog had 'great prognosis' before death as police chief urged to 'come clean'

Daily Record

04-05-2025

SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Documents obtained by the Sunday Mail show the two-year-old Alsatian could have recovered after her accident but was euthanised by Police Scotland.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been accused of misleading the public over the death of a young patrol dog.
Zara, a two-and-a half-year-old German Shepherd, was put down on December 13 last year after breaking her pelvis while on a walk with her handler.
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Sources told the Sunday Mail the force deemed a £12,000 surgery too expensive and chose instead to euthanise the dog.
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In a letter sent on behalf of Farrell, Police Scotland denied the reason was cost-related and insisted that the decision was made based on veterinary consultation and a concern for Zara's quality of life.
But medical records obtained by the Sunday Mail show vets said that if given pelvic repair surgery Zara had a 'great prognosis once recovered' – just hours before an inspector decided she was to be put down.
All of the force's 150 police dogs are the responsibility of Chief Constable Farrell, who is now facing calls to 'come clean' about Zara's death.
Tory MSP Douglas Ross said the force had failed to be 'honest' about what happened.
He said: 'I am appalled that senior figures have failed to be upfront and honest about this.
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'It is little wonder that the force have failed to be transparent with the public given that the expert opinion from a vet contradicts their reasons for putting her down.
'They must come clean as a matter of urgency and provide truthful answers to the many questions that remain about to this tragic case.'
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, an animal charity which looks after retired police dogs, has now written to Farrell demanding an explanation and referred the matter to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
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Zara's medical notes show she was admitted to an emergency vet hospital on the evening of December 11 after she was hit by a car while walking in a Highland village.
On December 12, an email from a specialist vet hospital in Fife said that Zara would need one or two surgeries due to the seriousness of the fracture, at a cost of between £11,000 and £12,000.
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The vet stated Zara would need a CT scan of her pelvis as she had an anomaly in one of her vertebrae which may prevent her returning to work as a police dog.
They said: 'Will this dog go back to work? It all depends on that nerve and anomaly, as the rest we can fix'.
Three hours later, vets noted that they 'need time – 72 hours post trauma – to fully assess neurological function'.
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On December 13 at 9am, vets noted Zara' had 'good mobility considering' and said: 'Nerve function seems OK, next decision to refer or not.'
Specialists at the Fife hospital said Zara 'definitely' needed the pelvic surgery but 'prognosis great once recovered from this.' It stated: 'CT scan would be able to help re prognosis and with deciding re one big surgery or two surgeries.'
The next entry simply stated: 'ST Inspector – decision to PTS [put to sleep]. He will contact handler and handler likely to come in to say goodbye.'
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The final update that day was that Zara's collar was given to her handler, who had requested some of her hair and pawprints.
Trustees at the Thin Blue Paw Foundation wrote to the Chief Constable about the developments saying they believed the inspector who gave the green light to put Zara to sleep 'breached the National Police Chiefs' Council Police Dog Standard'.
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Dave Wardell, trustee of Thin Blue Paw Foundation, said: 'It's clear from PD Zara's notes that her death was not due to legitimate welfare concerns as stated by Police Scotland.
'Police Scotland has provided several accounts in an attempt to justify the euthanasia of PD Zara but none offers a legitimate reason.
'According to the vet records, Zara's prognosis for recovery was excellent and she was denied access to further imaging scans prior to being euthanised.
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'PD Zara was let down by those in Police Scotland entrusted with her welfare. Rather than responding with honesty and reflection, representatives from the organisation have chosen to provide misleading accounts of the incident, both through the media and directly to the Foundation.
'Trust, honesty, and transparency are core values that underpin policing. It is gravely concerning that these values have not been upheld in relation to PD Zara's death.'
Police Scotland was unable to explain why its public commentary on PD Zara's case did not match with the prognosis described in her medical notes.
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Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: 'We are reviewing our procedures to ensure that any learning from the death of PD Zara is captured and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation to listen to their concerns and discuss our approach to incidents such as this in the future.'
A spokesperson for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner said: 'We are aware that Police Dog Zara was very sadly put down after sustaining injuries during a walk with her handler and we sympathise with the loss that is clearly felt by so many.
"The circumstances of this case are not a matter for PIRC however we will always fully assess the detail of any formal referral made to ourselves and act where required.'
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