A retired police dog came to the rescue of a ‘vulnerable’ missing man whilst out on a walk in the woods to celebrate his 12th birthday.

German Shepherd Bear retired from Sussex Police four years ago and was out on his first walk since undergoing major surgery.

Bear had recently had two tumours removed and was supposed to be out on a ‘gentle wander’ as a birthday treat when he suddenly went into ‘work mode’.

His owner Julia Pope, also a former police officer, said Bear sensed that a man was in trouble.

She said: ‘He stopped 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.’

The man, who was ‘confused, wet, and cold’, had fallen over and was unable to get up without help.

‘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,’ Julia said.

Retired police dog Bear rescued a vulnerable man after locating him in woods

Bear had recently recovered from major surgery and was on a ‘gentle walk’ when he sprung into action

‘The area was off the beaten track and would be very easy to get lost in, especially in the dark.’

Bear, alongside Julia and her husband, helped the man out of the woods.

Julia contacted police and discovered that the man had previously been reported as a missing person – and officers had searched for him with no success. 

‘We were able to assist the man back to an area where we could coordinate with police officers who had been searching for him and thankfully re-unite him with his family,’ Julia said.

‘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; two former police officers and a retired police dog.’

Bear was adopted by Julia and her husband after he retired in 2020 and his handler was unable to keep him.

However Bear still serves as a trauma support dog for police staff and regularly sees his ex-handler.

Julia said: ‘He’s such a lucky boy because he has two families who love him and are incredibly proud of him.’

Bear was hailed as a ‘hero’ who is ‘still saving lives’ even in his well-earned retirement

Bear, who is described by his family as an ‘absolute cuddle monster’, is enjoying his retirement so far.

‘At 3am, he likes to crawl into our bed and deposit himself between us and hog the duvet,’ Julia said.

Last summer, he was rushed to the vet when he lost the use of his rear legs.

He needed an emergency MRI followed by surgery to treat four herniated discs in his spine – thought to have been caused by his years of strenuous work as a police dog.

Bear underwent regular rehabilitative hydrotherapy and physio – but returned to the vet two weeks ago after displaying more worrying symptoms.

This time, a scan revealed two tumours which needed to be surgically removed. Thankfully, both were benign.

Bear was supported through his medical troubles by charity The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, and now he is happily back on his paws.

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.’