Colourful tributes will be paid to Fife dog-lover killed in Lapland

HONOUR: Trophy in memory of Rebecca Johnson will be presented

Dog lovers will pay tribute at the weekend to Fife woman Rebecca Johnson, who was killed in Lapland.

A trophy named after the 26-year-old from Burntisland will be presented to the best in show at a canine Christmas party.

At a Canisports Scotland race at Lochore Meadows Country Park on Sunday runners will wear ribbons in Rebecca’s favourite colour of purple.

And, as The Courier previously reported, purple ribbons will also be worn at the Sled Dog Association of Scotland race at Darnaway in Moray.

Rebecca, whose Czech boyfriend Radek Kovac, 36, was remanded in custody on suspicion of murder by a Finnish court on Wednesday, was wellknown in canine sporting circles.

As well as being a keen musher, Rebecca, whose body was discovered in the village of Kuttanen in the northern region of Finland on Saturday, was director of Burntisland-based Active Woofers and ran stalls at dog-racing events.

Michelle Atkinson, of Carnegie Canines flyball club, said: “Rebecca was well, well loved, she was a lovely person.

“I saw her in January and she was all excited about going to Finland for her new life.

“She and her boyfriend were living in a caravan until they moved.

“That was the last time any of us saw her.”

Michelle runs flyball tournaments and added: “Everyone at the competitions knew Rebecca, she would be there with her stall. “We are all shocked. “I was just thinking about her the other day, wondering how she was getting on, and then I saw the news.”

Before the trophy is presented at the Santa Paws party on Sunday, organised by Dana’s Angels Fife, there will be a minute’s applause for Rebecca.

The party, including a fun dog show, will be held in Carnegie Canine’s unit in Castleblair Business Centre, Glenrothes.

Former Balwearie High School pupil Rebecca had been working with the Santa Safari team providing Christmas themed tours in Lapland when she died.

Rebecca Johnson died on Saturday.