Another positive police story, once again it is not our usual type of post but we felt that it had to go on the site. A former Eastbourne police dog named Bear, on his inaugural stroll post-major surgical recovery, rescued a defenceless man.
Bear (Image: Thin Blue Paw Foundation/ PA) accompanied his owner, Julia Pope, a former police officer, for a woods walk in the Eastbourne region when he detected the location of a missing person for whom the police were conducting a search.
On November 28, the German shepherd, enjoying his 12th birthday, guided Ms. Pope to the missing individual.
Bear recently recuperated from surgery to address four herniated discs in his spine, believed to have resulted from his years of rigorous service as a police dog.
He then underwent surgery following the detection of two benign tumours in a scan conducted two weeks prior.
Ms Pope 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 12-year-old canine leapt into action. “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 co-ordinate with police officers who had been searching for him and thankfully reunite 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.”
Ms Pope adopted Bear in 2020 after he retired but his keeper was unable to keep him.
The retired police dog continues to work as a well-being and trauma support dog for police staff and is supported by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation.
Bear recently underwent major surgery (Image: The Thin Blue Paw Foundation/PA Wire) The charity, which rehabilitates, protects and supports working and retired police dogs, supported Bear and his owners last summer when he lost the use of his rear legs and was struggling to walk due to the herniated discs.
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.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.