Sots rescue dog hailed for her heroics as she retires after 11 years of saving missing people

A hero Scots rescue dog has been hailed for her heroics as she retires - after 11 years of saving missing people.

Mountain Rescue Dog Poppy has been on the Search and Rescue Dogs Association Scotland (SARDA Scotland) callout list for 11 years.

But she will now enjoy a well earned retirement after stepping down from the role, which has seen her saving scores of people.

The organisation trains search and rescue dogs to help the Police, and Mountain Rescue Teams across Scotland, in the search for missing persons.

Poppy's first SARDA Scotland job was when she was a six-month-old puppy, but her and handler Iain can now enjoy quieter days together.

A SARDA spokesperson said: "Dog team Iain and Poppy have been on our callout list for the last 11 years.

"They have deployed to many searches with their parent Mountain Rescue team, Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team and to assist many other Mountain Rescue teams and Police Scotland from Glencoe to the Lake District and everywhere in between.

"It was fitting that Poppy’s last training search was in Glen Finglas where 12 years earlier she had her first taste of the SARDA 'game' as a six month old puppy.

"It was also fitting that Poppy’s last find was on her favourite body, uncle John who she has known since she was a puppy.

"At age 12 Poppy is looking forward to a well earned retirement. A huge thank you and well done to Iain and Poppy for their huge commitment to finding missing people and saving lives in the mountains and wild spaces of Scotland.

"Stand down Poppy, well done girl ."