Search & Rescue Dogs

Dogs specially trained to help find missing people have been recruited by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The force said it was the first in the country to train dogs solely for use in search and rescue operations.

The three springer spaniels and one Brittany dog began work in July and have already been involved in rescues.

Inspector Andy Lilburn said the animals were ideally suited to Devon and Cornwall's rural terrain and were a "real asset" to the force.

Their only purpose is to save lives and they're already doing that
Insp Andy Lilburn, Devon and Cornwall Police

The force dog inspector said: "Our existing general purpose dogs are fantastic at what they do but vulnerable people are often scared when confronted by a German shepherd dog.

"These lost person search dogs have no other skills and are pure specialists in finding people who are lost."

The police force obtained the dogs as puppies from local breeders and trained them to recognise human scent.

They are now based with their handlers in Plymouth, Bodmin and Camborne.

The dogs have already taken part in a number of rescues, including that of a vulnerable man found in open countryside at night after he ran away from home.

"These dogs are a real asset to the force," Insp Lilburn added.

"I can't stress enough how important they are. Their only purpose is to save lives and they're already proving that."

DEVON and Cornwall police have become the first force in the country to train dogs to specifically search for people who are lost.

The force has trained three Springer spaniels and one Brittany dog whose sole job is to hunt for people who have become lost and are potentially in danger.

The dogs have been operational since July and have already been successful in saving lives as well as police resources.

Hundreds of people are reported as lost each year with the most common incidents involving elderly people wandering off from care homes or people becoming disorientated when walking on places such as the moors.

Traditionally, the force has used German Shepherd dogs which possess a range of specialist search skills but are used mainly for tracking and stopping criminals.

Specialist dogs from the Search and Rescue Dog Association and voluntary mountain rescue teams are also used.

The spaniels differ in skill because they are trained to bark when they find someone; they run backwards and forwards between the person and their handler, eventually leading the handler to their find.

Force Dog Inspector Andy Lilburn said: “Our existing general purpose dogs are fantastic at what they do but vulnerable people are often scared when confronted by a German Shepherd Dog.

“These new dogs have no other skills and are pure specialists in finding people who are lost.

“They are ideally suited to the rural areas of our force and take our capacity to search quickly, effectively and safely to a higher level.

“People become lost for a number of reasons. They could be walkers who have lost their bearings in bad weather, vulnerable young people who have run away or people who are intent on harming themselves.

“We are most often called out to find elderly people with dementia who have wandered off from home and the dogs are invaluable in these instances.

“The spaniels have a very friendly temperament so are perfect for these types of searches. They work well with people and other animals.

“They have a lot of stamina and are keen working dogs which is crucial when searching for long periods of time.”

DEVON and Cornwall police have become the first force in the country to train dogs to specifically search for people who are lost.

The force has trained three Springer spaniels and one Brittany dog whose sole job is to hunt for people who have become lost and are potentially in danger.

The dogs have been operational since July and have already been successful in saving lives as well as police resources.

Hundreds of people are reported as lost each year with the most common incidents involving elderly people wandering off from care homes or people becoming disorientated when walking on places such as the moors.

Traditionally, the force has used German Shepherd dogs which possess a range of specialist search skills but are used mainly for tracking and stopping criminals.

Specialist dogs from the Search and Rescue Dog Association and voluntary mountain rescue teams are also used.

The spaniels differ in skill because they are trained to bark when they find someone; they run backwards and forwards between the person and their handler, eventually leading the handler to their find.

Force Dog Inspector Andy Lilburn said: “Our existing general purpose dogs are fantastic at what they do but vulnerable people are often scared when confronted by a German Shepherd Dog.

“These new dogs have no other skills and are pure specialists in finding people who are lost.

“They are ideally suited to the rural areas of our force and take our capacity to search quickly, effectively and safely to a higher level.

“People become lost for a number of reasons. They could be walkers who have lost their bearings in bad weather, vulnerable young people who have run away or people who are intent on harming themselves.

“We are most often called out to find elderly people with dementia who have wandered off from home and the dogs are invaluable in these instances.

“The spaniels have a very friendly temperament so are perfect for these types of searches. They work well with people and other animals.

“They have a lot of stamina and are keen working dogs which is crucial when searching for long periods of time.”