You're not above the paw, chief

POLICE Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been accused of misleading the public over the death of a young patrol dog.

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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.

Sources told the Sunday Mail the force deemed a £12,000 surgery too expensive and chose instead to euthanise the dog.

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 Farrelll, 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.

"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."