A wayward racing pigeon has been doing bird in a Tayside police station.
A cleaner discovered the pigeon holed up in a cell after the outside door was left open.
The jailbird flew out of the cell and on to the roof before taking up residence in the Arbroath station’s garage.
Now in a place where one might normally expect to find a panda officers are continuing to look after the off-course doo until its owner is found.
A police spokeswoman said: “The tagged racing pigeon is currently in a garage at the police station.
“It may well be that it is simply resting up for a few days before continuing its journey, but it may also be that it is simply lost.”
The pigeon does not appear to be injured but police have so far been unable to get close enough to read the tag on its leg.
Feed and water have been put out in the garage and police will continue to monitor the bird’s wellbeing but it is understood the Scottish SPCA may be called in if it continues to stay put.
Experts said racing pigeons can sometimes become lost or disorientated and may come down to find food and water or to rest before continuing on their way.
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association said: “It is not unusual for racing pigeons to come down for a rest, especially during training or racing.
“Once the racing pigeon has had food and water, it will probably decide to continue its journey home.
“Should you find a stray racing pigeon and open its wing, you may find stamped on one or more feathers the name and address and/or telephone number of the owner.
“Alternatively, the name and address of the owner may be found on another ring on the pigeon’s leg.”
Racing pigeons properly known as rock doves are gentle birds who score higher in intelligence tests than dogs and some primates.
In the Second World War, Britain relied on them to fly through enemy gunfire and across the Channel to relay vital messages, and a pigeon was the first creature to receive the Dickin Medal, the Victoria Cross for animals.
The sport is believed to date back to the 3rd Century but it took off in Belgium in the mid-19th Century and King Leopold II gave racing pigeons as a gift to the British royal family in 1886.