Hunt continues for missing police dog

The 3-year-old sable-coloured German Shepherd, called Thames, went missing yesterday afternoon in the Mt Holdsworth area during a team training exercise. Photo / NZ Police

A missing police dog spent its fourth night in the bush as rainy weather thwarted search efforts.

Police dog Thames went missing on Sunday during a police exercise west of Carterton in the Wairarapa.

A police spokeswoman said bad weather stopped police and volunteers from searching for the dog today.

"It was important to bring them out ahead of the rough weather. We'll be re-assessing things tonight."

She said police appreciated the help and messages of support received from the public since Thames went missing.

The 3-year-old German shepherd was working with a search and rescue team on a day-long exercise when he became parted from his handler in the Totara Creek/Red Creek area at Mt Holdsworth.

An officer in charge of the Wellington police dog section said Wairarapa Constable Mike Wakefield, Thames' handler, was devastated after Thames went missing.

"He was working with the team down a really hard spur and it's unknown how, but he just got separated," Senior Sergeant Mark Davidson told the Wairarapa Times-Age.
Police were researching the viability of attaching global positioning system (GPS) devices to dogs.

The research started a few months ago.

"Police have been researching the use of GPS tracking devices. And we've been looking at a technical and operational best fit for potential use on our dogs," police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said.

She said this issue was being discussed both before and after Thames went missing.
If GPS tracking for dogs was to be introduced, it would potentially involve a device attached to dog collars.

However, Ms Calder said dogs were deployed in "a range of situations" so a decision on the best device was not yet decided.