Court / Sheriff says drugs dogs are an ‘enviable resource’
THE LOCAL sheriff was treated to a demonstration from Shetland’s drugs dogs this morning (Friday) – and later said they are an “enviable resource” in the isles.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank met Shetland’s newest sniffer dogs Hera and Bravo alongside their handlers Hannah Anderson and Megan Grant.
The young springer spaniels are two of five dogs which are part of the Dogs Against Drugs charity.
The canines are trained to sniff out certain scents and are used for example at the NorthLink ferry terminal and the Lerwick postal office.
In October and November nearly £28,000 worth of drugs were seized by police at the postal office with the assistance of Dogs Against Drugs.
Sheriff Cruickshank said he was “incredibly impressed” by the demonstration given by the dogs on Friday.
A number of drugs cases which have resulted in sentences at Lerwick Sheriff Court in recent years have seen sniffer dogs involved in the initial detection.
“The ability of these dogs to locate various substances is amazing,” the sheriff said.
“I am well aware of the important role these dogs play operationally. Their brilliance in sniffing out illegal drugs has often played a significant part in the detection and recovery of controlled drugs which would have otherwise been unlawfully distributed into the communities of Shetland.
“The dogs and their handlers are an enviable resource in Shetland. It is a resource which many other parts of the country does not benefit from.”
Dogs Against Drugs was set up as a charity in Shetland back in 2002 in an attempt to tackle the issue of illegal drugs in partnership with the police.
Sheriff Cruickshank said he acknowledged that the charity relies on donations.
“Both the business community and the public of Shetland have to be congratulated for their continued support which I will hope will continue for many years to come,” he said.
The number of dogs in the team is set to reduce from five to four later this year, however, when the experienced Thor reaches nine years old.
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
