A veteran north-east sniffer dog has died following a crash which left his handler and crime-fighting counterpart battling for his life.
Constable George Shearer was on-duty in a marked police van with his two dogs when they were involved in a smash with a blue Vauxhall Astra on the A90 Aberdeen to Peterhead road, near Hatton, late last Tuesday night.
The 46-year-old – described as one of the Police Scotland’s best dog handlers – was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) to be treated for head injuries.
Last night NHS Grampian said Constable Shearer, of Tarves, is still in a stable condition.
However the force also confirmed that his nine-year-old dog, Sam the black Labrador, had been put down last Friday following complications after surgery.
Superintendent Steven Irvine, of the force’s specialist operations unit, paid tribute to the “hard working” hound, adding that the decision was “extremely difficult”.
He said: “As a force we care a great deal about our dogs and although it was an extremely difficult decision to make, it was agreed with very heavy hearts this was the best course of action for Sam.
“Sam was a much-loved and valued member of the Police Scotland family – as is the case with all our dogs – and he will be sorely missed.
“We are extremely proud of the fantastic crime-fighter Sam became and will always be grateful to him for the loyalty he showed his handler and the force.”
A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that following a serious road traffic accident on the A90 near Peterhead on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, a police dog has sadly died.
“Sam, a nine-year-old black Labrador, was put down on Friday following complications after surgery.”
Initially, both police dogs were described as being in a stable condition after being taken to a local vets for treatment following the crash.
Last night a friend of Constable Shearer’s, who did not wish to be named, said the news about Sam would be “devastating” for the policeman.
Following the crash, it later emerged the second driver was a Ministry of Defence Police officer, said to have been stationed at the nearby St Fergus Gas Terminal.