A former Fife policeman has earned a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to protecting animals from harm.
Ian Laing spent five years as the region’s wildlife crime liaison officer before he retired in September.
Now his outstanding work has been recognised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which sponsored the accolade presented to him in Edinburgh by Environment Minister Aileen McLeod.
In 2010, Mr Laing was involved in the first case in Scotland to use the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), when someone was found to be trading in threatened and endangered species over the internet.
His work in raising awareness of wildlife crime in Fife saw him identifying and establishing partnership working, including the Fife Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (Fife PAW), and helping to ensure there were dedicated wildlife crime resources available.
He said he was delighted to receive the award but acknowledged he could not have achieved so much without the support of a number of other agencies and police colleagues.
“A WWF award is the highest accolade which can be achieved in the arena of wildlife crime enforcement and rewards not only the individual but the organisations who support the individual,” he said.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “We’re very grateful to enforcement officers like Ian who dedicate so much time to tackling wildlife crime.
“In five years Ian has changed the way people in Fife view wildlife crime and has left a huge legacy behind. This award is truly deserved.”
Picture by David Wardle