Police dog duo awarded for their heroism and dedication at Crufts

Police dog handler Police Constable Andrew Inglis and his clever canine colleague, Police Dog (PD) Mac, have been awarded the NPCC Police Dog Operational or Humanitarian Action of the Year Award.

The pair from Police Scotland were nominated for their dedicated efforts in locating a vulnerable man who was missing for 13 days.

As part of a large, extensive search, Police Scotland colleagues focused their efforts on a five‑square‑mile area of dense forest in Dunkeld.

After almost two weeks of searching, extra support was needed and PC Inglis, a victim recovery handler and PD Mac, a victim detection dog, were deployed.

Using his acute sense of smell, the five-year-old cocker spaniel joined his handler on a methodical and physically demanding 30km search, which at times saw PC Inglis having to crawl in order to navigate the steep and difficult terrain.

Despite such searches sometimes lasting weeks or months, on day five of their search, PD Mac descended a steep ravine to the water’s edge and showed constant interest near a fallen tree.

It was here that the man they were searching for was found severely unwell but alive.

With help from PS McBean, who had joined the search that day but was in another area, he was safely evacuated and given urgent medical care.

Commenting on their tireless efforts, Chief Superintendent Clare Jenkins, NPCC Tactical Lead for Police Working Dogs, said:

“If not for the unwavering resilience and exceptional teamwork of PC Andrew Inglis and Police Dog Mac, the man would almost certainly have lost his life.

“Their commitment not only brought a desperate search to an end, but gave a vulnerable individual the chance of survival, which is an extraordinary act of humanitarian service.

“This case is a true demonstration of the extraordinary capability of our dogs, and why they are such a vital part of policing. But it’s also a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the officers who work alongside them.

“The partnership between handler and dog is what makes outcomes like this possible.”

The pair attended Crufts today, Sunday, 8 March to receive their deserved award, which is presented just before the Best in Show and Presentation.  

Speaking about receiving the award, PC Andrew Inglis, who has been a dog handler since 2011, said:

“It’s a real honour, and something that came completely out of the blue.

“The recognition means a lot, especially for the smaller dogs who don’t always get the spotlight.

“Mac’s main role is to help find those who are sadly no longer with us, so for him to bring my attention to someone who was still alive, and to ultimately save a life, is incredible.

“It’s jobs like this one that truly highlight the dedication and capability of the dogs we work with.”