Volunteer search dog handlers sought
19 February 2013
Volunteer search team ALSAR Search Dogs Sussex, which regularly
assists Sussex Police, is seeking new dogs and their handlers to
join them.
The team is starting training courses in March for dogs and
their owners to learn some of the skills needed to help police
search for missing people across the county.
Chief Superintendent Paul Morrison from Sussex Police's
Operations Department said: "The volunteers at ALSAR Search Dogs
Sussex are an incredibly important resource for us here at Sussex
Police when we are searching for people who have been reported
missing.
"Often when someone is reported missing there is a large area
for police to search and groups such as this make themselves
available at all times of the day and night to help us cover a lot
of ground quickly.
"The members and their dogs receive extensive training to find
missing people, and as such provide a unique capability which
enables them to support police efficiently and effectively freeing
up officers to carry out other tasks during the search."
Miranda Batterbee, proprietor of Sussex County Dog Training
and Secretary to ASLAR Search Dogs Sussex, said: "The courses in
2012 were really successful and we are thrilled to be taking
on three excellent dogs from the courses for the team, as well
as allowing a number of people who cannot commit to joining to have
some great fun training with their dogs, while also raising
money for the team.
"We are thoroughly looking forward to the courses we will be
running this year and hope to continue to raise the profile of
ALSAR Search Dogs Sussex and the great work our members do."
Steve Ball, chairman of ALSAR Search Dogs Sussex, said: "One
of the first questions that potential dog handlers want to know the
answer to is: Is my dog suitable for search and rescue work?
Teaming up with Sussex County Dog Training has enabled us to
provide a course which allows interested members of the public to
bring their dogs along to and find out if they are suited to this
type of work.
"It has also provided us with a way of spotting talented dogs
and handlers and ensuring they receive good basic training before
joining the team."
The courses start on Tuesday 2 April and Tuesday 4 June and
run every Tuesday in the Chichester area for six weeks, costing
£65.
As well as looking for new dog handlers ASLAR Search Dogs are
also looking to recruiting potential new search technicians who
support the dog handlers by carrying out roles such as navigation,
radio communication and first aid.
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