After a distinguished career Axel the police dog is retiring. Handler Craig Menzies, 46, with the German shepherd. Picture: Steven Brown.

Axel the German shepherd brings his police career to a close

In his eight years working as part of Police Scotland’s dog unit, he has not had one day off.

But now Axel the German shepherd has called time on his career in the force and retired on the eve of his ninth birthday.

Axel’s handler, PC Craig Menzies, said his companion has earned some peace and quiet after a tireless career.

PC Menzies added: “Axel was bred at West Midlands Police and came up to us in 2010 at one year old.

“When we passed our initial course we teamed up together and I’m the only person that will handle Axel.”

He continued: “He’s trained to find people that are missing, criminals that run away from us, (to) track people (and) use of force – so he could be deployed to detain people.

“We go to disturbances with him, weapon calls, anything that could be a threat to the public or other police officers.”

“He can track people up to an hourand-a-half after they have left the scene.

“He also searches woods, buildings for persons – whether for missing persons or criminals.”

He added: “I have been lucky with Axel, he’s never had a day off his work and he’s coming up for eight years almost.

“He’s been quite a sturdy dog, they are exposed to some dangers.”

Mr Menzies said an incredibly strong bond develops between handlers and their dogs in the force.

“They are with you at work, they come home with you, the only time we maybe don’t have the dogs is if we’re out of the country maybe on holiday”, he said.

“There is a great bond there which grows the longer you actually work with them.”

Axel was awarded the Police Dog Humanitarian Action Award at Crufts for locating a walker and her own pup, who had fallen 60ft down a ravine and was left trapped in July 2012.

The 58-year-old was walking her labrador along a path in Cambo, near Kingsbarns, and ended up trapped for seven hours before being found by PC Menzies and Axel.

“We went down and got his award in front of the crowd before the final day,” said Mr Menzies.

Axel will spend his retirement living with Mr Menzies and his family, and he is already starting to “chill out”.

He added: “I have got a young pointer who is his buddy, (there will be) long walks together.

“He’s earned it. “Absolutely earned it.”

Picture: Steven Brown. PC Craig Menzies with Axel.