Missing search and rescue dog found after week-long search and rescue - Update

Missing search and rescue dog dog Thames has been found safe and well a week after he disappeared in the Tararua Ranges, New Zealand.



Four-year-old Thames had parted company with his handler Mike Wakefield and a small group who were completing a search and rescue exercise last Sunday morning. More than 20 searchers in the first two days of Thames' disappearance had unsuccessfully scoured the dense off-track terrain where he was last sighted.

After heavy weather forced the suspension of searching for two days, half a dozen civilian and police officers had resumed the hunt at higher altitudes on Saturday morning. Police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said two search teams were flown in to the area on and had camped out overnight, scouring the top High Ridge area.



"Paw prints were spotted and the searchers honed in on them following a fresher track," she said. "Thames was sighted, the teams called and whistled him. He was hungry but fine and no doubt Constable Wakefield gave him the long promised cuddle and tummy rub," she said. "We are absolutely delighted at the news and Mike is ecstatic," Senior Sergeant Mark Davidson, Wellington Police Dog Section, said.

There's a news video here.