Force reveals four-legged recruit

The progress of the puppy's training can be monitored online Puppy training diary

Tayside Police have revealed their latest recruit in the fight against crime.

He is a six-week old German Shepherd from the first Lothian and Borders Police dog breeding programme.

The name of the pure black puppy will be chosen by pupils at St Ninian's Primary School in Dundee.

Training will not begin in earnest for another year-and-a-half, but the pooch is already being prepared for life as a general purpose working police dog.

Members of the public can monitor his progress online by looking at his training diary on the Tayside Police website.

PC Mike Keenan will be in charge of moulding the puppy into a crime fighting force.

He said: "The benefits of using German Shepherds are that they are generally very loyal and hard working, as well as being intelligent.

"From that point of view they are excellent to work with.

"As far as I am concerned the training starts straight away, in that they are conditioned from day one.

"Their specialised upbringing will prepare them for the jobs they will do in the future.'"

Royal Canin has sponsored the new dog and will provide the force with free specialist puppy food for the next year.