Dog Deemed ‘Too Friendly’ for Police Work Finds His Calling As Heroic Search And Rescue Pooch

Roger, a golden retriever with an infectious enthusiasm, has defied the odds throughout his career.

Fired from the narcotics squad at a young age for being “too friendly,” he has since become a seasoned search and rescue dog.

Now, at the age of eight, Roger is an international celebrity thanks to his many viral moments – including chomping on a report’s microphone live on air and his heroics finding people trapped in a recent Taiwanese earthquake, no less.

Roger’s trainer, John Lee, emphasizes that no one-size-fits-all definition of a perfect working dog exists.

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But recognizing Roger’s boundless positive energy, Lee saw potential in him for search and rescue missions after he was dropped from the narcotics squad.

This redirection kickstarted a remarkable career for Roger, who has become a legend in his community.

One of Roger’s most notable deployments came this year after a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Taiwan. For days, Roger and his teammates braved treacherous mountainsides, searching for survivors trapped under landslides.

Roger is one of eleven search and rescue dogs at the Kaohsiung Fire Department in Hualien’s Taroko National Park, Taiwan, but most are younger and still under training.

With his seven years of experience, Roger is considered a veteran. But with fire department regulations mandating retirement at his age, the rescue dog has been celebrated for his illustrious career.

After seven successful missions, Roger will trade the rubble for a well-deserved retirement on a comfy lawn with a loving family.