Praise for rescue dog who helped find missing Worcester teen
Radar played a major role in the rescue of a 14-year-old girl.
Last updated 20th Nov 2022
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue team are heaping praise on their search dog Radar as she helped locate a missing girl.
The teenager was reported missing by her mother during a cold and wet evening.
Police were concerned for the child’s safety and requested support from the Fire Service’s ‘K9’ search team.
The child was believed to be at Worcester Racecourse, and with her handler, Watch Commander Don Mackenzie, Radar joined in with the search.
Police searched the grandstand, buildings, and stables, while Don and Radar searched the racecourse’s huge open area.
Radar covered a large stretch of ground and was soon able to scent the young girl using the wind after just 10-minute.
Don, who is based with Radar at Droitwich, said: “The young girl was wet and cold and also very surprised to have a dog with a torch and an attached bell find her!
“But she was taken back safe and well to the police who reunited her with her mum.
“This is a great result for both the K9 and police crews working together, and I’m delighted that there was such a happy outcome.”
Radar is a 5-year-old Malinois and she and her handler Don have comprised the HWFRS K9 team since June this year.
Having tackled numerous incidents in a wide variety of search situations and weather, they have successfully located two people in this short time.
Radar has served with HWFRS for three years and is the Service’s second search dog.
Search dogs take 2 years to train.