Recovering Police Support Dog Locates Missing Man

A German Shepherd, taking his initial stroll following significant surgery, discovered a vulnerable individual in Eastbourne whom police forces had been seeking. Bear concluded his service with the police in 2020; however, he remains active as a support dog, providing wellbeing and trauma assistance to police personnel. On Thursday, he was accompanying his owner, Julia Pope, a retired police officer, marking his first outing since undergoing an operation to extract two tumours. According to Ms Pope, “Bear went into work mode, he suddenly stopped and started indicating towards an area of dense undergrowth – and then dragged us to it, where he located and alerted us to a vulnerable man.” Ms Pope further stated, “The man was confused, wet, cold and had fallen over, and was unable to get up unaided.” She commented that the individual might not have survived the night had he not been discovered, characterizing the rescue as “an amazing stroke of luck.” Bear, who was observing his 12th birthday on the day of the incident, has been lauded as “a true hero” by the Thin Blue Paw Foudation, the charitable organization that provides him support. For updates, follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.