Retired Police Dog Finds and Helps Missing Person While Celebrating His Birthday with a Long Walk

Mar. 15, 2025

A retired police dog named Bear in Sussex, England.Photo:Thin Blue Paw Foundation/Facebook

Thin Blue Paw Foundation/Facebook

A retired police dog is still enjoying acts of heroism in his senior years.

On Nov. 28, the 12-year-old German shepherd named Bear was out for his first long walk following surgery as a birthday treat when he stumbled across a missing person in need of help in “dense undergrowth” near his walking path, according to asocial media postfrom the nonprofit organization Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

The nonprofit, whose mission is to support serving and retired police dogs nationwide, said the lost man was “confused, wet, and cold, and unable to get up” when the retired police canine came across him.

“Unbeknownst to RPD Bear, the man was a vulnerable missing person who officers had been searching for without success,” the post read.

“RPD Bear, you’re a true hero, showing us that even in retirement, you can still save lives,” the organization wrote. “Happy Birthday, Bear!”

The Guardianreported that Bear was on the casual walk that led to the missing man with his owner, Julia Pope, and “went into work mode” during the incident. The dog was in recovery at the time and on his first long walk since receiving surgery to remove two benign tumors two weeks prior.

Pope told the outlet that Bear “dragged” them to where the missing individual was. “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,” Pope said of the lost man she and Bear found.

The man was brought to local police and reunited with his loved ones.

While he is retired from active duty with the Sussex police, Bear has been working as a wellbeing and trauma support dog for police staff, perThe Guardian.

He had another surgery in the summer of 2023 for four herniated discs in his spine. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation supported the dog during the surgery.

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Thin Blue Paw Trustee Kieran Stanbridge toldThe Guardian, “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.”

Stanbridge continued, “Thanks to Bear, the man received the help he needed from local officers; even in his retirement, he’s still saving lives.”

According tothe organization’s website, retired police dogs do not receive financial support during retirement, often leaving their owners with pricey vet bills.

source: people.com