ESCAPERS CAPTURED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 14

ESCAPERS CAPTURED

Use Of Police Dogs

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. May 22

Police dogs from Wellington and other districts played an important role in the recapture of four escapers from the Porirua Mental Hospital today. The escapers, two men and two women, left the hospital about 2 p.m. today and were apprehended in bush country near Pauatahanui soon after 8 p.m. When found, the escapers were camped in hilly sheep country in thick bush and were preparing to settle down for the night after their eight-mile Walk. The police dog school at Trentham was alerted almost immediately and six dogs left with their handlers to pick up a trail. Four of the handlers were from other New Zealand Police districts, who are at Trentham for a refresher course.

Police received a telephone call later, in the afternoon from a man who reported seeing the escapers in the Pauahatanui district. By the time the escapers’ trail was found darkness had fallen, but the dogs tracked well until the scent was lost in a mob of sheep. At this stage, just before 8 p.m.. police were prepared to abandon the search until daylight. The light of the escapers’ camp fire was seen from a high ridge, however, and three of the dogs went with their handlers to bring them out.

The four young men and women were returned to the mental hospital soon after 8 p.m.