A DUNDEE councillor at the centre of a row over a promotional police postcard featuring a puppy last night broke his silence and issued a statement defending his actions.

Mohammed Asif spark-ed angry responses from Dundee Muslims by claiming on Monday the postcard was offensive to members of the Islamic community.

He claimed the postcard, advertising Tayside Police’s new non-emergency telephone number, could offend some Muslims as it features a black German shepherd dog sitting in a police officer’s hat.

It is understood some Muslims have been upset by the image because in Islam dogs are generally considered unclean and cannot be kept as pets— although they can be kept as guard dogs or for hunting.

Mr Asif had gone to ground after fury erupted over his comments.

Last night he issued a statement saying the matter was now closed.

“The issue was raised directly with me as a local councillor by constituents who felt it may upset some people in the community,” he said.

“As a member of the Tayside Police Joint Board I took the opportunity to raise it on my constituents’ behalf with the chief constable in what I believed to be the proper forum.

“Having had an explanation from the chief constable that I am satisfied with, as far as I am concerned the matter is now closed.”

The postcards, which were produced in late spring, have been distributed to homes and businesses across Dundee to raise awareness of the telephone number.

Tayside Police has since apologised for failing to run the seemingly innocuous postcard by its diversity advisers after Councillor Asif raised the issue at a meeting of the joint police board.

German shepherd Rebel has generally proved a popular recruit for the force, with huge numbers of people reading his online training diary on the Tayside Police website.