Retired Police Dog Rescues Missing Man on First Walk After Surgery
A retired police dog who recently underwent surgery reportedly located and rescued a vulnerable missing man on November 28 during his first ever post-operative walk.
The Guardian reports that in 2023, the German Shepherd named Bear had an emergency MRI and surgery to treat four herniated discs in his spine after he lost the use of his rear legs. Just last month, he faced another health challenge, requiring further surgery to remove two benign tumors.
However after the successful surgery, the retired K9 was being walked for the first time by his owner, Julia Pope, a former police officer when he managed to locate and rescue the vulnerable missing man in a dense forest in the Eastbourne area of East Sussex.
Pope who described the incident as “amazing stroke of luck” told Guardian that Bear was celebrating his 12th birthday on the day of the discovery when he immediately “went into work mode” after sensing the lost individual and “started indicating towards an area of dense undergrowth.”
“[He] then dragged us to it, where he located and alerted us to a vulnerable man,” Pope reportedly said. “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.” “Unbeknownst to us, the man was a vulnerable missing person who officers had been searching for without any success.”
Pope also adds that Bear lead the way and helped the man back to an area where he could coordinate with local officers and reunite with his family.
Celebrating Bears Birthday in a November 28 Facebook post, Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a national charity supporting serving and retired police dogs across the UK, acknowledged Bears remarkable rescue efforts. They praised the retired police dog calling him a “true hero.”
“RPD Bear from Sussex Police was celebrating his 12th birthday today with a long walk, when, on his way back, he located and alerted his owners to a man in dense undergrowth,” the post reads.
“The man was confused, wet, and cold, and unable to get up. Unbeknownst to RPD Bear, the man was a vulnerable missing person who officers had been searching for without success. The area was dark and very cold, but thanks to RPD Bear, the man received the help he needed from local officers. RPD Bear, you’re a true hero, showing us that even in retirement, you can still save lives. Happy Birthday, Bear!”
Commending the dog’s heroic action despite his retirement, Kieran Stanbridge, a Thin Blue Paw trustee, reportedly 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.”
The Facebook post sparked a wave of admiration, with many users flooding the comment section to praise Bear’s heroic actions and extend their birthday wishes. One user commented, “Good boy, Bear – just goes to show that you can take the Boy out of the Police, but you can’t take the Police out of the Boy,” one user shared.
“Well done RPD Bear, you are a star and a hero. What a fantastic birthday memory. There ought to be some sort of recognition for acts like this, maybe something like a Retirement Service Medal?” another added
Pope adopted Bear in 2020 after his retirement from the Sussex Police Dog Unit. During his years of service, the German Shepherd made significant contributions to the force. Now, in retirement, he continues to serve as a wellbeing and trauma support dog for police staff.
