Stray Dog Finds New Role As Search And Rescue Hero

A stray labrador named Bailey has beaten the odds to find work as one of Essex County and Rescue's (ECFRS) newest search and rescue dogs.

The unfortunate hound was taken in by the Dogs Trust,and at first appeared to be a lost cause, but after a phone call from Louise Crawford, Animal Welfare Scheme Co-ordinator at the charity, he was taken on by the fire service.

Graham Currie, ECFRS's dog handler and a Crew Manager in the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, as well as a member of UKISAR, said: "I'd been looking for a dog for just under a year when Louise put out Bailey's details so I went up to Loughborough Dogs Trust the following day.

"After testing Bailey's drive for a tennis ball and checking he had no aggression towards other dogs or people, I offered to take him on a six-week trial. "The biggest thing was getting him in the van because he associated it with being taken to a compound, but within 24 hours he was taught to associate it with fun.

"By the third day, I was 95 per cent sure he was the one. In the vehicle barn, there was rugby ball on a ledge above the gym weights and he wouldn't give up until he got it - that's the kind of determination we are looking for in a search dog. I was reluctant to take a labrador as they can be greedy and distracted with food, and I was looking for a springer, cocker or sprocker spaniel because I've found they are less stubborn and easier to train. Bailey has got that drive though and he's not greedy, he'd take a ball over a bowl of food every time."

Graham says Bailey, who is 18 months to two years old, has excelled at search and rescue activities. He has completed seven days of UKISAR training in buildings and rubble piles with police and national assessors.