Newly-licensed Dyfed-Powys Police dog Max and his handler PC Peter Lloyd tracked down a missing mother and her baby on the edge of a ravine after spending the night outdoors.
German Shepherd cross Max swiftly put his training into action during his first operational shift, covering a significant distance to find the mum and child.
The two-year-old was called into duty just before midday on Saturday, August 1, when the force received a call reporting the mum missing and immediately launched a search to find her and her one-year-old.
The mother and her one-year old had not been seen for two days and her phone was not working.
With support from Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and an NPAS helicopter, along with advice from a search expert, additional units were deployed to assist in searching the area which included a small reservoir and woodland.
PC Peter Lloyd and Max spotted the woman waving for help at 1:30 pm near a steep ravine on the mountain side and the mother and her baby were checked over by a Mountain Rescue doctor and the ambulance service.
Inspector Jonathan Rees-Jones said: “Extensive searches of the area were undertaken by officers, supported by specialist assets such as the dog unit and the NPAs helicopter, with advice from a police search adviser.
“Thankfully, after an hour-and-a-half of searching, the mum and baby were found. They were safe, but cold, and appeared to have been in the area for a significant amount of time.
“This was a fantastic coordinated and determined team effort from everyone involved, which no doubt ensured the safety of the mum and baby who were at significant risk of harm.
“I must give a special mention to PC Pete Lloyd and Max, who on their very first day since completing their training together covered a significant amount of mileage in the search, eventually locating them safe.”
PC Lloyd only joined the Dyfed-Powys Police dog section in February, and was on his first operational shift with Max when the woman was reported missing.
PC Lloyd said he was “really pleased” with the pair’s first operational deployment as a dog team.
“Max remained focussed throughout the long search and he proved invaluable when he reacted to the call for help which resulted in us locating them,” he said.
Max is a general purpose dog, who will primarily be used for tracking and locating people in buildings and open air, tracing discarded property and tracking and detaining suspects.
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