UK- Retired police dog, Bear, 12, on first walk since major surgery, rescues vulnerable missing man in East Sussex, 2024

[dotr]

2 December 2024

Retired police dog on first walk since major surgery rescues missing man in East Sussex

The dog, who turned 12 on the day of the discovery, immediately "went into work mode" after sensing the lost individual and "started indicating towards an area of dense undergrowth".

news.sky.com

''The dog, who turned 12 on the day of the discovery, immediately "went into work mode" after sensing the lost individual and "started indicating towards an area of dense undergrowth," Ms Pope said.

"[He] then dragged us to it, where he located and alerted us to a vulnerable man.

"The man was confused, wet, cold and had fallen over, and was unable to get up unaided. I'm not sure he would have survived the night as it was extremely cold and almost dark at that point with no one else in the vicinity," Ms Pope added.

"Unbeknownst to us, the man was a vulnerable missing person who officers had been searching for without any success."

 

[Tortoise]

Thank you @dotr you've made my day.

What a wonderful dog.

 

[fidgeypie]

Good Job Bear <3 your a hero and I see Treatos in your future

 

[tlcya]

awe, I NEEDED this story this morning! Love love love. Thank you for your service Bear.

 

[dotr]

Julia Pope 7 Mar 2025

Experience: My dog found a missing person and saved his life

He suddenly stopped dead, focused on a spot in front of him, then dragged me towards the undergrowth

www.theguardian.com

''We took him without our other dog, so that Bear could go at his own pace. It’s quite exposed along the Sussex Way, a path with dense areas of woodland and undergrowth. We reached the top and admired the view, but it was getting dark and cold.''

''It was along that path that Bear suddenly stopped dead in front of us. He stepped backwards, completely focused on a spot in front of him, then dragged me towards the undergrowth. Cautiously, I entered a patch of dense brambles, wondering what I was about to find. There were no noises or indication that anything was amiss. I wondered if Bear had made a mistake.''

''Today, Bear’s retirement is about living his best life. He loves walks, lounging in bed and snuggling up to watch breakfast TV.
I wonder what he might say if he could talk. I’m sure he’d brush off his birthday heroics, saying, “I was just doing my job.” He didn’t choose to be a police dog, but he gave his all to the role.''