Limited Use Of Dogs In Rescues

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31366, 11 May 1967, Page 11

Limited Use Of Dogs In Rescues

Police dogs have been used with some success in New Zealand but they operate best when the scent is four hours to eight hours old; time is the limiting factor in their use, according to Chief Inspector L. D. Bridge (Wellington), head of the Search and Rescue Organisation.

Chief Inspector Bridge was replying to a letter to the editor of “The Press” from R. M. Grant, who asked what climbers and mountaineers thought of using dogs in rescue operations in New Zealand. His letter read:—

"Sir,—l am appalled at the tragic loss of young New Zealand lives on our mountains. As a great lover of the German Shepherd dog, I have been reading a book which tells how in the Lakes District in England they formed in 1964 a search and rescue dog association. These dogs have already saved dozens of lives. They often find a buried person and dig him out before the dog’s handler can arrive on the scene. What do climbers and mountaineers think of this idea, for New Zealand? —Yours, etc., R. M. GRANT.

May 1, 1967. Chief Inspector Bridge replied:—

“During the last few years police dogs have been used with some success in a number of searches in bush and hill country. Under conditions suitable for their use trained dogs are undoubtedly o f great value and, looking to the future, when it is considered dogs can make a useful contribution, they will be used,” he said.

“New Zealand mountain conditions are, of course, vastly different from the hill, lake and moor country of England. “A first-class dog in reasonable weather can pick up a scent up to 24 hours old, a lesser period usually four to eight hours is perhaps more typical; action under this time scale would produce a good chance of success. Time is a limiting factor. “Several days frequently elapse before a person is reported overdue. Not uncommonly, expeditions to bush or mountain country for climbing, hunting or tramping vary in duration from two days to three weeks. “Often the information regarding locality is extremely vague when police are informed of a potential search and rescue incident

“Hunting at Lewis Pass or climbing up the pass is the sort of reference made, the latter probably referring to Arthur’s Pass, National Park. “For effective search work by dogs the area must be narrowed down; first-class information as to the probable route or the finding of a clue is desirable. This is the second limiting factor,” he said. “Climbing mishaps produce quite different circumstances, usually problems involving steep rock, ice and snow slopes. Specialised gear and advanced technical ability are essential “Frequently, the general location is quickly resolved, leaving only the aspects of rescue to be achieved. These operations are unsuited for search by police dogs. “On the other hand, dogs are quite effective on snow fields and undulating snow covered country. Overseas in the United States, Canada and Europe, teams with specially trained dogs have done magnificent rescue work after avalanches.

“Avalanche rescue squads usually exist where mountain areas are well populated and dry snow and extreme cold are normal winter conditions. We have not really a parallel in New Zealand; mountain regions are generally not populated and long periods of dry cold are unusual.

- “Perhaps 12 avalanche mishaps, mostly in summer, have occurred in 20 years. More than half of the victims were located almost immediately by climbers in the vicinity,” he said.

“Dogs have been used with much success on searches for

people who are lost after picnics or limited one-day excursions. On two occasions recently in Taranaki dogs contributed to the success of each search. With greater availability of trained dogs and handlers in the years ahead, more use can certainly be expected. “Finally, mountain mishaps could be reduced if the rules of sound bushcraft, hunting, and climbing were practised in mountain recreation. Sound judgment coupled with technical competence could reduce mishaps by 75 per cent,” said Chief Inspector Bridge.