SARDA( ENGLAND ) CALL OUTS 2003

TOTAL SARDA (ENGLAND) CALLOUTS FOR 2003 = 92

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS LOCATED BY SEARCH DOGS IN 2003 = 11

  JANUARY

03 Jan 03        PDMRO          3 dog teams (Alex Muller, Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Edale MRT. Called out at 0810 hrs.
Search for missing 12 year old girl in Pindale/Castleton area of the Hope valley. Missing girl turned up at boyfriends home in Manchester the next day. Incident closed at 1710 hrs (15 dog hours)

4 Jan 03        NESRA            3 dog teams (Des Toward, Tim Wood, Bill Batson) + Swaledale, Teesdale & Cleveland SRTs. Called out at 2330.
Large-scale search for 73 yr old lady missing from home near Piercebridge. Misper known to be in a depressed state. Overnight search by dogs with nothing found. Search resumed at first light. MRT party reported footprints crossing field and entering a pond at the Zetland (with no exit prints). Police underwater search team called in and rapidly located mispers body. Incident closed at 1300 hrs (14 dog hours). Wx:  Cold and clear.

20 Jan 03        PDMRO          1 dog team (Steve Ward) + Oldham MRT. Called out at 1015 hrs.
Search for missing man suffering from Downs Syndrome in Mossley area of Manchester . No outcome. Incident closed at 1730 hrs (5.5 dog hours).

21 Jan 03        SWERA          1 dog team ( Paul ine Richards) + DRG (Okehampton). Called out at 0115 hrs.
Search for a 74 yr old man suffering from Alzheimer’s, missing from home in Axminster in his pyjamas. Misper located safe and well by Police 4 miles from search area. Wx: Very heavy showers. Incident closed at 0405 (20 dog minutes).

23 Jan 03        SWERA          1 dog team (Ian Spreckley). Called out at 1000 hrs.
Search for an elderly lady suffering from Alzheimer’s who had walked away from her car and was missing. Misper located cold but well in Newton Abbot by MRT member. Wx: Fine and sunny. Incident closed at 1200 (45 dog minutes).

25 Jan 03        SWERA          2 dog teams ( Dave Humphrey , Dave Herbert) + DRG Okehampton section. Called out at 2230 hrs. Papergirl aged 12 missing since 0800 failed to return home from paper round, last seen in area where schoolgirl Kate Bushell had been murdered on the same day 3 years previously. Whilst returning to the RV SARDA dog handlers saw the missing girl hiding in bushes on a large bank. The area was searched and the girl was found hiding in a den. Girl accompanied back to RV and handed over to Police. DOG FIND - DAVE HUMPHREY AND STORM. Wx: dry, very cold. Incident closed at 0700 26 Jan. (15 dog hours).

27 Jan 03        PDMRO          4 dog teams (Malc Bowyer, John Coombs, Dave Coss, Izzy Manning) + Buxton MRT. Called out at 1655 hrs.
Search for missing 77 yr old (known suicidal) in Chinley area. Misper located alive by Buxton MRT. Incident closed at 2025 hrs (7.5 dog hours)

29 Jan 03        SWERA          2 dog teams ( Paul ine Richards, Ian Spreckley). Called out at 1715 hrs.
Search for 73 yr old lady suffering from Alzheimer’s missing from home. Misper located, cold and slightly hypothermic in garden shed by Police. Wx: dry. Incident closed at 2130 (1 dog hour)

FEBRUARY

11 Feb 03       Lake District    6 dog teams (Bill Batson, Helen Morton, Ellie Sherwin, Paul Baxendale, Dave Marsh, Steve Ward) + Keswick. Penrith, Cockermouth, Wasdale, Langdale Ambleside, Millom & Furness, Leeming MRTs). Called out at 0400.
Major search for 2 female walkers missing from previous day (initial search drew a blank). They had been in touch by mobile phone, saying that they were lost “somewhere on Scafell” and that one of them was injured. Located injured and mildly hypothermic but alive by a SAR helo just after mid-day in Eskdale. Wx: excellent, some hill fog. Incident closed at 1230 hrs (25 dog hours)

14 Feb 03       Mid-Pennine    1 dog team (Dave Marsh) + Bolton + Bowland Pennine MRTs. Called out at 1800 hrs.
Report of male shouting for help in Anglezarke area of West Pennine Moors. Nothing found. Well intentioned false alarm. Wx: Clear, cold. Incident closed at 2340 hrs (3.5 dog hours)

15 Feb 03       SWERA          1 dog team ( Matt Robertson ) + DRG (Okehampton). Called out at 0650 hrs.
Search for confused 82 yr old lady missing from previous night. Misper located safe and well before dog deployed. She had travelled by train to Bristol and had returned that morning and was found having tea and toast at a local hotel! Wx: Cold, dry, sunny. Incident closed at 0845 hrs.

24 Feb 03       North Wales    1 SARDA (E) dog team (Bill Batson) + SARDA(W) dog teams + Llanberis, Ogwen, Stafford, Aberglaslyn MRTs. Called out at 1500 hrs.
Major search for 33 yr old male from Southampton who had intended to climb Snowdon and return that day. Large scale search carried out until mispers body was located by Stafford MRT party in Cwm Glas Mawr. Police helo recovered body. Wx: Variable; cold. Incident closed at 1320 hrs (4 dog hours)

26 Feb 03       PDMRO          1 dog team (John Coombs) + Buxton MRT. Called out at 2005 hrs.
Search for 2 (young female) walkers lost on Kinder Scout. Lights spotted and mispers located safe and well by Buxton MRT before dogs deployed. Incident closed at 2235 hrs

26 Feb 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss (re-deployed from previous incident), Steve Ward) + Edale MRT. Called out at 2020 hrs.
Search for 2 female walkers overdue from walk on Derwent Edge. Walkers located safe and well by Edale MRT before dogs deployed. Incident closed at 2030 hrs

MARCH

02 Mar 03       SWERA          4 dog teams (Dave Herbert, Alex Lyons, Nicki Lyons, Ian Spreckley) + 5 x police dog teams + DRG (Tavistock & Plymouth) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 0530 hrs.
Search for missing 68 yr old man nr Truro . Located safe and well in a store in Plymouth . Wx: Dry. Incident closed at 1230 hrs (16 dog hours)

04 Mar 03       PDMRO          3 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs, Bill Batson) + Edale MRT. Called out at 2000 hrs.
Search for 80 yr old male Alzheimer’s sufferer who had failed to return home in Sheffield after taking his dog for a walk. Misper located safe and well in Sheffield town centre by Police. Wx: Dry & windy. Incident closed at 0030 (7 dog hours)

06 Mar 03       PDMRO          3 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs, Alex Muller) + Edale MRT. Called out at 2118 hrs. Search for man who had phoned to say that he was going to commit suicide on Froggatt Edge, He was found safe but intoxicated by JOHN COOMBS AND BONNIE who followed up a sighting by the police helicopter    Wx: Dry and cold. Incident closed at 0030 (7.5 dog hours)

26 Mar 03       PDMRO         
Search for man seen on Stoke railway line at Cavershall level crossing. Nothing found. No further details available.

30 Mar 03       PDMRO          1 dog team (Steve Ward) + Glossop MRT. Called out at 1800 hrs.
A man phoned for help saying he was lost on Bleaklow. He was located by Police helicopter before dogs deployed. Wx: Dry and clear. Incident closed at 1830 hrs.

APRIL

01 Apr 03        PDMRO          1 dog team (John Coombs) + Edale MRT. Called out at 2245 hrs.
 Search for 79 yr old lady missing from her nursing home in Hathersage. She was located by a MRT member while on duty as an A&E nurse – the lady had been brought in earlier that evening by ambulance. Wx: Wet and windy. Incident closed at 0030 (1 dog hour)

02 Apr 03        SWERA          3 dog teams (Dave Herbert, Alex Lyons, Ian Spreckley) + DRG (Tavistock). Called out at 0845 hrs.
Search for a 24 yr old woman with a history of self-harming, missing from home in Cornwall . Police located her car nr Princetown and a Police helicopter found her body nearby. Wx: Dry and warm. Incident closed at 1030 hrs (1.5 dog hours)

12 Apr 03        Mid-Pennine    2 dog teams (Dave Marsh, Steve Ward) + Oldham MRT. Called out at 0835 hrs.
Following a report of flares being seen on the Pennine Way a search was initiated. Search called off following further info from Police. Incident closed at 1100 hrs (2 dog hours)

13 Apr 03        Mid-Pennine    2 dog teams (Dave Marsh + ?).
Search for missing 80yr+ local with Alzheimer’s disease in Westhoughton, Bolton . Misper located be member of public 5 km from point last seen. No other details available.

13 Apr 03        Mid-Pennine    2 dog teams (Dave Marsh +?)
Search for missing child in Roddlesworth, Tockhills. Missing child turned up ½ km from point last seen. No other details available.

21 Apr 03        Mid-Pennine    1 dog team ( Pete Shaw ) + Bowland Pennine MRT. Called out at 0645 hrs.
Search for 15 yr old girl missing from caravan at Marton Mere. She returned to her grandparents caravan after a “sky shout” by a Police helicopter. Wx: Dry, light to moderate wind. Incident closed at 0845 hrs (1.5 dog hours)

26 Apr 03        SWERA          Multiple dog teams + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 1800 hrs.
Dogs from SARDA England course at Dartmoor placed on standby for male despondent threatening suicide in Appledore area of Somerset . Man located by Police before dogs deployed. Wx: Warm and dry.

MAY

 02 May 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Derby MRT. Called out at 0230 hrs.
Woodland search for 13 yr old boy who had run away from holiday home in Ashbourne. Nothing found, search terminated. Wx: Wet and windy. Incident closed at 0600 (4 dog hours)

03 May 03       SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 1000 hrs.
Search for overdue team on Exmoor Challenge walk. Search called off when it was discovered the team had not even started the walk! Wx: Heavy rain. Incident closed at 1020 (20 dog minutes)

09 May 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Buxton MRT. Called out at 0030 hrs.
Woodland search for 60 yr old male spotted by Police who ran away when approached. Misper located uninjured but hypothermic by MRT. Wx: Dry, light wind. Incident closed at 0400 hrs (10 dog minutes)

11 May 03       Mid-Pennine    2 dog teams (Kevin Stead, Eric Spofforth) + CDSRT & Holme Valley SRT. Called out at 0830 hrs.
Search for 72 yr old ex soldier, missing in Shipley area. Misper had been trained in jungle training and survival and had previous record of disappearing and evading detection. Search focused in local woodland, often very dense. Nothing found. Wx:     Sunny; cold; little wind. Incident closed at 1745 (14 dog hours)

16 May 03       SWERA          3 dog teams (Dave Herbert, Alex Lyons, Ian Spreckley) + DRG Ashburton. Called out at 2130hrs.
Police requested SARDA to carry out search for missing driver of a car found next to Tottiford Reservoir. Owner was known manic depressive with history of self-harm. Dogs used to search woodland behind car park; nothing found. Incident ongoing. Wx:  Rain, cold wind (15 dog hours)

20 May 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Derby MRT. Called out at 2315 hrs.
Search for man who had gone missing, having injured himself on his way to work in Walton on Trent . Search of public footpaths carried out; nothing found. Wx: Light wind & rain. Incident closed at 0330 hrs (6.5 dog hours)

20 May 03       Mid-Pennine    2 dog teams (Kev Stead, Eric Spofforth) + CDSRT. Called out at 1630 hrs.
Search for 72 yr old ex soldier with jungle survival training who liked to camp/hide in woodland near water, with a previous record of disappearing and evading detection. Search was focused in local woodland including steep, rocky ground and dense trees. Search terminated with nothing found. Wx: sunny but cold with little wind. (4.4 dog hours)

 26 May 03       SWERA          1 dog team (Dave Herbert) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 1030.
Search for 82 yr old lady missing from residential home in Wellington , Somerset . Misper located by Exmoor SRT, walking in ploughed field; she claimed she was returning home after tea at “the Palace”. Wx:        Bright, light wind. Incident closed at 1525 hrs (3 dog hours)

JUNE

05 Jun 03        PDMRO          3 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs, Steve Ward) + Edale & Woodhead MRTs. Called out at 1530 hrs.
Search for 40 yr old known suicidal man in Dinington area. Dogs used to search woodland and open ground, nothing found. Misper located (dead) in quarry by father the following day. Wx:       Good, dry. Incident closed at 0030 hrs 06 Jun (19 dog hours).

06 Jun 03        PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, Mark Hall (SARDA Wales)) + Derby & RAF Stafford MRTs. Called out at 1800 hrs.
Search for 35 yr old suicidal woman in Cannock Chase. Search of woodland and open moorland carried out. Misper located alive, but very ill (self-inflicted) by Derby MRT. Wx:Good, dry. Incident closed at 2200 hrs (3 dog hours)

10 Jun 03        Mid-Pennine    1 dog team (Kev Stead) + Upper Wharfedale FRT. Called out at 1630 hrs.
58 yr old man suffering from mile Senile Dementia who had left home to walk to the outpatient's clinic at his local hospital but never arrived. Man is a fit and energetic walker who went out most days on local hills, woods and fields. Search of woodland, mixed and craggy ground carried out with nothing found. Search terminated at 2200 hrs with nothing found. Wx: Fair, evening sun and little wind. (3 dog hours)

11 Jun 03        Mid-Pennine    1 dog team (Kev Stead) + Upper Wharfedale FRT. Called out at 1130 hrs.
Continuation of search from previous day. Search dog Flint savaged by two German Shepherds belonging to woodland owner. Search terminated at this point with nothing found. Wx: Good. 2.5 dog hours)

10 Jun 03        PDMRO          3 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs, Steve Ward) + Woodhead & Edale MRTs. Called out at 1700 hrs.
Search for 28 yr old man missing from home in Doncaster . Suicide note found in van parked by local woods. Woods searched; nothing found. Wx:            Good, dry. Incident closed at 2300 hrs (11 dog hours)

14 Jun 03        SWERA          2 dog teams ( Dave Humphrey , Dave Herbet) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 0330 hrs.
Search for a 58 yr old man walking the South-West coast path who had failed to contact his wife at the end of the day. Last contact was during the evening of 12 Jun in Clovelly. Search of coast path carried out; Missing man located in hotel in Hartland. Wx: Hot with strong breeze. 1.5 dog hours.

21 Jun 03        PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, Bill Batson) + Derby & RAF Stafford MRTs. Called out at 1055 hrs.
Dogs called to help search for missing 29 yr old suicidal woman at Cannock Chase. Lack of useable information resulted in dogs not being deployed. Wx: Hot, dry. Incident closed at 1600 hrs. Note – misper located alive the following day in woodland by forestry worker.

22 Jun 03        YDRP              1 dog team (Kev Stead) + Upper Wharfedale FRT & Police dogs. Called out at 0630 hrs.
Search for a missing 60 yr old woman suffering from depression who had disappeared from home with enough medication to commit suicide. Search of woodland and small quarries carried out with nothing found. Search terminated at 2130hrs. Wx: Fair, evening sun with little wind. (2 dog hours).

22 Jun 03        SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 2130 hrs.
Search for 79 yr old male senile dementia patient missing from local hospital in Holdsworthy, Devon . Misper located safe but hypothermic in hospital grounds by Police dog, before SARDA dog deployed. Wx: Heavy rain and fog. Incident closed at 2215 hrs.

27 Jun 03        SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT & DRG. Called out at 2130 hrs.
Search for 59 yr old male despondent near Yarcombe, Devon before being re-deployed to further incident. Wx: Dry, light wind. (2.75 dog hours)

28 Jun 03        SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 0030.
Re-deployed from previous incident to Taunton , Somerset to search woodland for missing 56 yr old female despondent. Misper located alive, but suffering from drugs overdose in Kingston St Mary by Police. Wx:            Dry, light wind. Incident closed at 0245 hrs (25 dog minutes)

29 Jun 03        SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT & DRG. Called out at 0500 hrs.
Search for 43 yr old known suicidal man near Yarcombe, Devon . Search later moved to Ofwell forest; nothing found. Wx:      Dry, hot, light wind. Incident closed at 1300 hrs (7 dog hours)

JULY

03 Jul 03         SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey s) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 2030 hrs.
Search of Quantock Hills  for 21 yr old male despondent threatening suicide. Dog and handler stood down before deploying. Wx:            Dry. Incident closed at 2100.

04 Jul 03         Mid-Pennine    1 dog team ( Pete Shaw ) + PMMRT. Called out at 0016 hrs. Search for missing 78 yr old man in Nether Kellet. Originally called out to search open fields around missing persons cottage. Called to allotment adjacent to garden after a report from the son that  a spade and fork were not in their usual place. Search dog Bracken indicated at base of a pear tree where there were signs of ground disturbance. Police informed and location made a crime scene. Police dog unearthed spectacles; body unearthed following day. DOG FIND – PETE SHAW AND BRACKEN. Wx: Dry, light winds. Incident closed at 0630 (6 dog hours).

11 Jul 03         PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Derby MRT. Called out at 1847 hrs.
Dogs called to search woodland after a couple witnessed a child being dragged into the woods. Nothing found. Wx: Dry, warm. Incident closed at 2230 hrs (2.75 dog hours).

16 Jul 03         Mid-Pennine    1 dog team (Dave Marsh)
Search for missing from hospital patient, known suicidal in Leigh, Gtr Manchester. Misper located, hanged by Police/MRT. No other details available.

18 Jul 03         SWERA          2 dog teams (Alex Lyons, Matt Robertson ) + DRG Tavistock & Plymouth sections. Called out at 0615 hrs.
Search for 64 year old female who “went for a walk” after an argument with her husband in Truro the previous evening. Misper located safe and well by Police in Mevagissey, having walked all night. Dogs not deployed. Wx: Dry and warm. Incident closed at 0930 hrs.

23 Jul 03         PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Buxton MRT. Called out at 2250 hrs.
Call to assist Buxton with search for an old lady suffering from Alzheimer’s. Misper located by family before dogs deployed. Wx: Wet.  Incident closed at 2310 hrs.

25 Jul 03         PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Edale MRT. Called out at 1540hrs.  Search for adult male who failed to return home from a walk in Peak District. Car located at Froggatt Edge car park. Search dog Bonnie located mispers body through waist high bracken at base of crags. DOG FIND – JOHN COOMBS AND BONNIE. Wx:         Dry, light wind. Incident closed at 2100 hrs (10 dog hours).

30 Jul 03         PDMRO          1 dog team (Dave Coss) + Derby MRT. Called out at 0030.
Search for 47 yr old lady with learning difficulties, missing from home in Spondon, Derby . Misper located safe and well in a garage by a local man. Wx:  Warm, light wind. Incident closed at 0600 hrs (51/2 hrs).

AUGUST

03 Aug 03       SWERA          10 dog teams (SARDA course) + DRG Plymouth section. Called out at 1130 hrs.
While attending a national SARDA England course on Dartmoor , 10 dogs were called to search for missing 42 yr old man suffering from schizophrenia and epilepsy, missing from home in Bovey Tracey. Misper was located 14 hours later in the cupboard under the stairs of his home address! Wx:        Dry, very warm. Incident closed at 1630 hrs (50 dog hours).

05 Aug 03       PDMRO          1 dog team (Dave Coss) + Derby MRT. Called out at 0600.
Elderly male Alzheimer’s sufferer last seen the night before at his nursing home in Halliton. Misper located in a garden shed by a local before dogs deployed. Wx:   Dry and warm. Incident closed at 0800 hrs.

09 Aug 03       PDMRO          1 dog team (Dave Coss) + Derby MRT. Called out at 1000hrs.
Elderly male Alzheimer’s sufferer missing from nursing home in Chesterfield . Misper located by Derby MRT before dogs deployed. Wx: dry and warm. Incident closed at 1100 hrs.

16 Aug 03       SWERA          3 dog teams (Alex Lyons, Paul ine Richards, Ian Spreckley) + DRG Ashburton and Tavistock). Called out at 2030 hrs.
Search for missing 28 yr old man from Reading whose car had been reported as being abandoned in a car park in Newbridge for 2 days. Misper had been arrested and bailed by Reading Police the previous week. Search of area around car carried out. Search called off when nothing found by 2100 hrs.Wx: Dry & very warm. (14 dog hours).

SEPTEMBER

07 Sep 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (John Coombs, Steve Ward) + Woodhead MRT. Called out at 2250 hrs.
Search for missing 14 yr old girl, feared abducted in Barnsley . Dog search revealed nothing; girl located uninjured by Police in Suddan, having been abducted. Wx: Dry & windy. Incident terminated at 0200.

13 Sep 03       Lake District    4 dog teams (Alex Lyons, Steve Garafalo, Pete Shaw , Helen Morton) + Coniston MRT. Called out at 0900 hrs.
SARDA England handlers, while assessing other SARDA dogs were called to assist SARDA Lakes to search for a woman missing since 0430 hrs from her tent near Walna Scar. She and her husband had been drinking. Search of local area and quarries carried out with nothing found. Missing woman turned up uninjured at home in Kendal. Wx: Dry and warm. Incident terminated at 1030 hrs (2 dog hours)

16 Sep 03       MidPennine     1 dog team (Dave Marsh.
Search for missing local woman near Rivington. Misper located safe and well on roadside by passing ambulance, 10km from position last seen. No other details available.

18 Sep 03       NEWSAR        2 dog teams    (John Coombs, Dave Coss) + NEWSAR. Called out at 1137 hrs. SARDA England dogs called to assist Cheshire Police with search for a 43 yr old female, missing from home in Sandbach with a large number of pills. Misper had been missing before but had previously returned home.  Acting on information from 2 local boys the casualty was located outside the area planned to be searched. The casualty was distressed and hypothermic. DOG FIND JOHN COOMBS AND BONNIE Wx: Cloudy but dry. Incident closed at 1930 hrs (7.5 dog hours).

19 Sep 03       PDMRO          3 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs, Steve Ward) + Glossop MRT. Called out at 1948 hrs
Two walkers called on their mobile phone to say they were lost in the Glossop area. They were talked down off the hill by the MRT Controller. Search dogs stood down before deploying. Wx: Dry and cloudy. Incident closed at 2017 hrs.

20 Sep 03       MidPennine     1 dog team (Dave Marsh)
Search for missing local, possibly suicidal, in area of Leigh 6^th Form College , Gtr Manchester. Search of wood, wasteground, parkland and urban carried out. Misper turned up safe and well.

22 Sep 03       SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 0215 hrs.
Search for 80 yr old diabetic lady with Alzheimer’s Disease, missing from her nursing home in Chelston. Located by Police on industrial estate. Wx:          Dry, windy. Incident closed at 0400 hrs (1 ¼ dog hours)

26 Sep 03       SWERA          1 dog team (Alex Lyons). Called out at 1000hrs.
Called by Gloucester Police to assist them in a search for a 62 yr old lady who had not returned from her walk the previous evening. Police had searched the village of Lydney all night; SARDA dog was required to search woodland at behind her house. Misper was located by Police, some ½ mile from her position last seen, walking home.Search dog stood down before deploying. Wx:          dry and cold. Incident closed at 1130 hrs.

  OCTOBER

03 Oct 03        SWERA          1 dog team (Alex Lyons) + DRG Plymouth. Called out at 1630 hrs.
Search for a vulnerable woman, missing from home in Torpoint with all of her tablets. Located safe and well by Police. Search dog stood down before deploying. Wx:          Overcast and cold. Incident closed at 1630 hrs.

07 Oct 03        SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + DRG Okehampton. Called out at 1815 hrs.
Search for 77 yr old man who had wandered away from his nursing home in Axminster. He had gone missing on one previous occasion. Misper located safe and well by Police; search dog stood down before deploying. Wx:            Windy and wet. Incident closed at 1910 hrs.

14 Oct 03        PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Derby MRT. Called out at 11015 hrs.
Woodland search for missing 55 yr old man who had dropped his children off at school and had then disappeared. His car was found in a car park at Cannock Chase. Area searched; nothing found. Wx:    Dry and windy. Incident terminated at 1830 hrs (15 dog hours).

15 Oct 03        NESRA            1 dog team (Tim Wood) + Cleveland SRT. Called out at 2000 hrs.
Two carers went for a walk with 2 patients in Staithes. When darkness fell they were unable to find a safe way off the hill and contacted the Police on their mobile phone. The mobile phone company estimated that it would take 2 hours to triangulate their position. The missing party had reported that they could hear the siren from a Police car but the effect of the wind made a positive location impossible. Tim Wood and search dog Toggle was carrying out a search of a wooded valley and surrounding fields when Tim heard a faint call for help. Tim sent Toggle off in the direction of the calls and after a short time Toggle returned, indicating to Tim that she had found someone. On following it up Tim located the missing party, safe and well. DOG FIND – TIM WOOD AND TOGGLE.  Wx:     Cool, calm, dry. Incident closed at 2230 hrs (1 dog hour).

19 Oct 03        PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Edale MRT. Called out at 0030 hrs.
A man and a woman phoned in to say they were lost on Rivellin Moor. They were located before search dogs were deployed. Wx: Dry, windy. Incident closed at 0250 hrs.

23 Oct 03        South Wales   1 dog team (Alex Lyons). Called out at 2030 hrs.
SARDA England handler attending SARDA South Wales assessment course was asked to assist in search for a missing 14 year old vulnerable boy near Aberystwyth. Boy returned home safe and well before arrival at RV. Wx:            Dry, very cold. Incident closed at 2100 hrs.

28 Oct 03        MidPennine     1 dog team (Dave Marsh).
Search for missing male child at Sale Water Park , Manchester . Misper turned up uninjured at home. No other details available.

NOVEMBER

04 Nov 03       YDRP  5 dog teams (Kev Stead, Eric Spofforth, Simon Adams, Dave Marsh, Pete Shaw ) + 5 SARDA Lakes dog teams + Cave Rescue Organisation. Called out at 1930 hrs.
A 15 yr old pupil from Giggleswick school refused to return home with his mother to Rome, preferring to visit his father in Moscow and decided to run away to avoid the issue. He disappeared in his school uniform with normal footwear and protection from the weather. SARDA  were tasked to search areas around a limestone cliff and the local golf course. Search terminated when the missing boy was located by the CRO.  Weather:   Damp, misty, very dark. Incident terminated at 0015 hrs (13 dog hours)

06 Nov 03       SWERA          2 dog teams ( Dave Humphrey , Matt Robertson ) + DRG Ashburton. Called out at 2000 hrs.
Search for missing 80 yr old man in Totnes area. Gentleman is a former WW2 pilot and thought the enemy were after him. He hid from search teams but was found alive and well, eating a bar of chocolate! Wx: Dry, mild, dark. Incident closed at 2345 hrs (5 ½ dog hours).

08 Nov 03       SWERA          4 dog teams ( Dave Humphrey , Alex Lyons, Paul ine Richards, Matt Robertson ) + DRG Tavistock and Plymouth . Called out at 0900 hrs.
Search for a missing, suicidal 27 yr old woman near Teignmouth. Woodland search carried until misper was located alive and well by Police. Wx:  Dry and warm. Incident closed at 1645 hrs (24 dog hours).

08 Nov 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (John Coombs, Alex Muller) + Buxton MRT. Called out at 1750 hrs.
Search for 2 missing walkers aged 23 & 24 who were overtaken by darkness with no torch on Kinder Scout. They called on their mobile to ask for help and were located safe and well, if cold, by a foot team from Buxton MRT. Weather:         Dry and windy. Incident closed at 2030hrs (3 dog hours).

12 Nov 03       YDRP              11 dog teams from SARDA(E) course + MRTs
Search of woods, park;and, urban and river for missing, possibly suicidal boy from Giggleswick school. Misper located by MRT. No other details.

18 Nov 03       SWERA          1 dog team ( Dave Humphrey ) + Exmoor SRT. Called out at 0855 hrs.
Search for missing 67 yr old suicidal man near Barnstaple . Search ongoing. Wx:  Rain, low cloud. Nothing found. Incident closed at 1600 hrs (6 dog hours)

25 Nov 03       SWERA          1 dog team ( Paul ine Richards) + DRG Ashburton. Called out at 1730 hrs.
Search for 45 yr old suicidal woman in Paignton. Search of rough ground and woods and caravan site near mispers home completed. Nothing found. Weather:   Heavy rain. Incident closed at 2330 hrs (4 dog hours).

27 Nov 03       MidPennine     1 dog team (Dave Marsh)
Search for missing vulnerable local woman in Warrington area. Search of wasteland, woodland and urban carried out; nothing found. No other details.

29 Nov 03       MidPennine     1 dog team (Dave Marsh)
Search for missing vulnerable local woman in Warrington area. Search of wasteland, woodland and urban carried out; nothing found. No other details.

DECEMBER

01 Dec 03       SWERA          1 dog team ( Matt Robertson ) + DRG Tavistock and Okehampton sections. Called out at 2105.
Search dog Matt called to assist DRG in search for 35 missing Royal Marines in Okehampton area while running in PT kit. Mispers located by Dartmoor Rescue Group foot team prior to search dog deployment. Weather:           Wet & cold. Incident closed at 2230.

07 Dec 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Woodhead, Edale & Glossop MRTs. Called out at 1530 hrs.
Search for missing walker from the Marsden to Edale path. Misper located safe and well in a pub in Edale before dogs deployed. Weather:       Dry and windy. Incident closed at 1715 hrs.

09 Dec 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Derby MRT. Called out at 1840 hrs.
Search for missing woman, believed to be attempting suicide in Alderwasley area. Misper located dead by MRT party by side of a field before dogs deployed. Weather:        foggy and damp. Incident terminated at 1925 hrs.

20 Dec 03       PDMRO          2 dog teams (Dave Coss, John Coombs) + Edale, Buxton & Kinder MRTs. Called out at 1805 hrs.  Search for a missing male walker on Kinder Scout. Misper had been caught out by darkness and had called for help on his mobile phone, resulting in a multi-team search. Missing walker located cold and wet by search dog Bonnie near Edale rocks following a 100metre strike. DOG FIND – JOHN COOMBS & BONNIE.

27 Dec 03       PDMRO          4 dog teams (Dave Coss, Malc Bowyer, Alex Lyons, John Coombs) + Buxton MRT. Called out at 1145 hrs.
Search for missing from home 82 year old man in Buxton. Search of woodland and moorland underway following a number of sightings. Misper had made his own way back to Sheffield . Weather:    cold, snowing. Incident closed at 1630 hrs (13 dog hours).

31 Dec 03       PDMRO          1 dog team (Dave Coss) + Edale & Buxton MRTs. Called out at 2130 hrs.
Search Dog Dave placed on standby during search for two walkers camping on top of Kinder who became frightened when weather deteriorated and requested help . Mispers located by MRT and escorted from hill before search dog deployed. Weather:         strong wind & snow.