He was shown off along with colleagues from the dog section at Kangaroo Self Storage, where some of Amstel’s training was carried out.

In March 2006, Tayside Police made a public appeal for new training venues for the dog section team, and Chris Stevens, managing director of Kangaroo Self Storage, offered his company’s facility on Dundee’s East Dock Street.

Tayside Police decided to bring in dogs from foreign countries because it has been given a guarantee that, should a dog not reach the required training standards, it will be supplied with a replacement.

Dog section sergeant Dave Hamilton explained that bringing in dogs from overseas had also resulted in improve-ments in training time.

“The dogs have come to us with some previous training, so it means we have been able to get them on the street more quickly. Training time is down from 12 to eight weeks,” he said.

On the issue of training facilities, he added, “If any business at all is able to provide us with a place, even if it’s just an office, it would be a real help.”

Amstel is pictured with his handler Constable Steve Ritchie (left) and Graham Neville of Kangaroo Self Storage.