Two Police K9s found and rescued a 71-yer-old deaf and mute South African who had been missing for 4 days.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (24 December 2020) – Mel Ortmann shared the story of how Bear and Ferie were called to service on the 16th of December and reconciled a missing man with his loved ones on the Day of Reconciliation!
An elderly gentleman had gone missing 4 days earlier on the12th December in the Odeke area. Their two handlers, Warrant Officer Romel Da Rosa and Sergeant Mark Banjo, attended the scene.
Upon arrival, they were informed that the missing gentleman aged 71 was completely deaf and mute and therefore would not be able to hear people searching for him and he would not be able to respond to any call as he could not talk (or hear). The community had been looking for him for 4 days to no avail. They then decided to contact the police.
The terrain the Officers and Bear and Ferie had to face was practically unsurpassable. The bush was incredibly dense and full of brambles.
K9 Bear and Ferie were given their instructions, and off they went. Very quickly, Warrant Officer Da Rosa noticed that K9 Bear had picked up a scent and was on a mission. He ran through the thick bush like his life depended on it with Ferie in hot pursuit. Stopping momentarily every now and then as they turned back to see the handlers crawling on all fours to get through the bush and entangling brush.
The K9’s were out of sight for a brief moment, and as the Officers arrived at an area in the bush where the dogs had stopped, there in front of them was the elderly man! He was alive. K9 Bear and Ferie were very excited to see the gentleman and even gave him a few licks. The man was just as pleased, and even in his weakened and dehydrated state, he could indicate his sheer delight by making a few small sounds. He had been found on day 5 by Bear and Ferie, alive, which is truly a miracle and unheard of considering his state.
Probably sensing the man’s vulnerability, K9 Bear became protective of him. Both dogs were rewarded with their tennis balls. This reward to them is their absolute greatest pleasure!
The Officers with assistance from other Search and Rescue members carried the man out to an awaiting Community who upon seeing him started cheering and praising Bear and Ferie as well as the Officers involved. He had been reconciled with his loved ones on the Day of Reconciliation.
The man was then given some fluids from his delighted family and taken to the hospital immediately.
K9 Bear and Ferie have been instrumental in bringing closure to many families who have lost loved ones be it through drownings in the sea, rivers or dams; missing people out hiking; missing children, finding victims of violent crime; assisting at accident scenes etc. There is nothing these special dogs can’t do or face with their handlers. They go in boats, swim in any body of water, fly in helicopters, hike the highest mountains, abseil down cliffs.
K9 Bear holds a record within the unit for indicating on a boat in Lesotho that he could detect a body that had drowned 6 months earlier. Upon diving, the Officers found the body at a depth of 50 meters!
“They are truly special and real-life heroes (who bring joy and closure) within our SAP that are on call 24/7 to assist their counterparts anywhere in KZN and get very little recognition for the amazing job they do for our Citizens in South Africa. As the saying goes: We will not rest until they are home”.
by 