Orkney’s first drugs sniffer dog is to be unleashed to “help keep the islands a safe place for future generations”.
Two-year-old Labrador cross Zoe will begin her duties in the coming weeks alongside former RAF policeman handler Kevin Moar after passing all her necessary tests.
Her appointment comes four months after charity Orkney Drugs Dog launched a second appeal to find another drugs sniffer dog – after their original choice Whisky lost her sense of smell.
Andrew Drever, chairman of Orkney Drugs Dog said the charity is delighted to welcome Zoe onboard.
He said: “We are really pleased. It was obviously a disappointment with Whisky, when that offer didn’t turn out to be as successful as we hoped, with the timescales originally with the handler.
“Zoe is a super dog, a lovely friendly dog. We had her at the school the other day and it was just brilliant to see her interacting with the bairns. She’s really relaxed and friendly among bairns but when we had a training exercise at the airport, it was good because she works in a different mode when she gets her harness. It’s really good to see that.”
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Zoe, supplied by Vikkas K9 Ltd in Lincoln, will be deployed on a regular basis at the islands external and internal ferries, Northlink, Pentland and Orkney Ferries as well as Kirkwall Airport and the Post Office.
Using her training with Police Scotland, Zoe will go on to search for substances including cannabis cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and MDMA in an effort to reduce drug supply and use across the community.
Her handler Mr Moar, 51, retired from the RAF in 2015 before moving back to his homeland to take up the dream role.
He said his goal is to make Orkney “a good place for all young people to be brought up”.
He added: “I grew up in Orkney when it was classed as a relatively safe area and there was very little drug use. I didn’t really know of drug use when I was young, there were rumours of people smoking cannabis and that was really about it. My social circles weren’t involved in any drugs or anything like that.
“Through speaking to people in Orkney and the information I gained from the charity, it’s something I thought I could use the skills I gained in the air force to actually help the islands become a safe place. It was a good place for me to be brought up and I would like it to be a good place for all young people to be brought up in a safe environment.”
