A retired police dog celebrated for his life-saving actions has been honored with the prestigious Lifesaver Award.
Bear, a 12-year-old German Shepherd and former Sussex Police dog, showed he hadn’t lost any of his skills after retirement by rescuing a vulnerable man during a family walk in the South Downs near Eastbourne, UK.
The event, which coincided with Bear’s birthday, has now earned him award from the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity supporting retired police dogs.
Bear’s owner, Julia Pope, a retired police officer herself, spoke of the award to the local newspaper, the Argus: “Bear found several people during his working life who probably wouldn’t have survived without him, but he and his handler never got any recognition at the time because they were simply doing their job.
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“For him to get this award now, in his retirement, and for his former handler, Iain, to have been there too, is very special. We’re all super proud of him.”
The rescue that finally got Bear the recognition he deserved happened on November 28 when he located a missing man who had fallen in dense undergrowth.
The individual was cold, wet, and disoriented, but Bear along with Julia, were able to provide him warmth and alert authorities.
It transpired that police had been searching for the man without success, but Bear’s nose for finding individuals, honed during his lengthy police career, changed everything.
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Julia, her husband Ian, and Bear helped the man to his feet and safely escorted him to safety where he was met by authorities.
The rescue was particularly remarkable as it marked Bear’s first walk in weeks following recovery from major surgery.
Earlier this year, Bear underwent a complex operation to remove two tumors, his second significant health challenge after a previous surgery to repair herniated discs caused by years of strenuous police work. Both procedures were partly funded by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity supporting working and retired police dogs in the UK.
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Bear’s achievements extend beyond his time on the force. He now serves as a well-being and trauma support dog for police officers through the Oscar Kilo 9 project.
The award ceremony took place on December 23 at Sussex Police HQ in Lewes, UK. Bear’s previous handler, Iain Sutherland, and Chief Inspector Di Lewis, who had been instrumental in bringing Bear and his sister, Maggie, onto the force, attended the event.
Reflecting on the honor, Julia expressed her gratitude: “The award was amazing and completely unexpected; to say it was a surprise would be an understatement!”