Veteran police dog Amber retires after almost a decade fighting crime
A veteran police dog has hung up her collar after almost ten years fighting crime and catching crooks
One of Scotland's most successful and best known police dogs has retired after almost a decade fighting crime and catching crooks.
Amber, a nine-year-old Belgian Malinois, has also played a key role in tracing vulnerable missing people and bringing them to safety over the years. She joined Police Scotland in 2016 as an 11 month old pup and after basic training in Glasgow spent the next nine years working across Dundee, Perth and Fife. During that time she could be called out up to six times during a shift.
As well as finding missing people, Amber is experienced in apprehending law-breakers. Last year she was called to action when a man broke into a Dundee nightclub.
Amber’s nose led her straight to the cupboard, where he was hiding. The man quickly gave himself up and was arrested by Scott.
On another occasion, she found a drunk driver about half a mile from a crash in Brechin after he fled the scene.
As well as collaring criminals, tracking missing people, and sniffing out vital clues, Amber has been a regular competitor in major national dog trial competitions.
She was twice crowned champion in the Scottish Regional Police Dog Trials, which tests the animals tracking, searching, and criminal apprehension skills.
Amber and her handler, PC Scott McMaster, have also represented Police Scotland three times at the National Police Dog Trials. In 2023, in Nottingham, they finished second.
Amber also won the prestigious title of the most obedient police dog in the UK.
Scott said: “I’ve had Amber since she was 11 months old, and the bond we share is unbreakable. She’s brilliant at her job, and I know whenever we attend an incident, she’s more than capable of handling any task and she always has my back.
“I’m so proud of everything she’s achieved. To be able to say I’ve handled the most obedient police dog in the UK and showcased her abilities at national trials is a real honour.”
Amber’s final shifts saw her track down six suspects who fled from a stolen vehicle and trailer.
The group was linked to a series of crimes across rural Perthshire. Despite poor weather conditions, Amber followed a 2km trail and located the suspects, who were attempting to hide.
Amber will live with Scott at his home in Perth and Kinross with his wife and two young children. Police dogs usually stop working between the ages of eight and 10, meaning Amber was due to retire this year.
Scott continued: “There was never any question for me about keeping Amber once she retired, she’s a massive part of my life and my family’s life.
“While police dogs follow strict training routines and shift patterns during service, Amber can now relax and enjoy her retirement as a full-time member of the family.
“Knowing her personality, she’ll stay active, she’ll probably miss the night shifts and the thrill of a search, but she’ll also love putting her paws up on the sofa.”
Amber’s retirement plans include Munro-bagging, swimming in lochs and rivers, and visiting dog-friendly places such as pubs and hotels. In recent months, Amber also played a key role in training her successor, Chilli, a two-year-old black Belgian Malinois. Chilli recently tracked a suspect into a barley field in Forfar.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said:"As Chilli takes the lead, we wish Amber a long, happy, and well-earned retirement."