Retired Police Dog Finds Vulnerable Missing Man While Out On Birthday Walk

A retired police dog who was out on a birthday walk – his first walk since recovering from major surgery to remove two tumours – rescued a vulnerable missing person after locating him in the woods. 

German Shepherd, Bear, who served with Sussex Police as a general purpose dog until he retired four years ago, was out for a walk in the Eastbourne area to celebrate his 12th birthday on Thursday (28 November) when he sprang into action.  

Bear’s owner, former police officer Julia Pope, from East Sussex, said:

“This was his first proper walk since his surgery and we thought it would be a gentle wander but then it ended up being quite dramatic! 

“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. 

“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.

"The area was off the beaten track and would be very easy to get lost in, especially in the dark. 

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

“We were able to assist the man back to an area where we could coordinate with police officers who had been searching for him and thankfully re-unite with him with his family. With Bear leading the way back! 

“It’s an amazing stroke of luck really that we were in the right place at the right time; two former police officers and a retired police dog!” 

When Bear retired in 2020 and his handler couldn’t keep him, Julia and her husband adopted him.

The retired police dog – who still serves as a wellbeing and trauma support dog for police staff, supporting members of staff who have dealt with traumatic and difficult situations at work – still sees his ex-handler regularly.

Julia added:

“He’s such a lucky boy because he has two families who love him and are incredibly proud of him.”

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation – a charity that rehabilitates, protects and supports working and retired police dogs across the UK – supports Bear in his retirement.

The charity supported Bear and his owners last summer when he lost the use of his rear legs and was struggling to walk. He needed an emergency MRI and surgery to treat four herniated discs in his spine, thought to have been caused by his years of strenuous work as a police dog.

He needed regular rehabilitative hydrotherapy and physio to get back on his paws.

Bear returned to the vet two weeks ago after displaying some worrying symptoms and a scan revealed two tumours which he needed surgically removed; thankfully both were benign.

He had to rest to recover from the surgery but headed out for his first walk on Thursday to celebrate his 12th birthday.

Thin Blue Paw trustee Kieran Stanbridge said:

“RPD Bear is a true hero – his training and instinct kicked in and he managed to lead his owners, who are former police officers themselves, to this vulnerable man who needed urgent help.

“Thanks to Bear, the man received the help he needed from local officers; even in his retirement, he’s still saving lives.”

Bear, who is enjoying his retirement, is described by his family as an ‘absolute cuddle monster’.

Julia concluded:

“At 3am he likes to crawl into our bed and deposit himself between us and hog the duvet!”