Police dog finds missing mother and baby on first shift

German Shepherd cross Max locates pair on ravine edge

PC Peter Lloyd and Max (Dyfed-Powys Police)

Every new employee hopes to impress on their first day at work. This fella did it in style.

Newly licensed police dog Max found a missing mother and toddler on his first ever operational shift.

The canine sleuth tracked down the pair to a ravine edge in a remote part of Powys, central Wales, on Saturday.

The mother and her one-year-old child had not been seen for two days and had spent the night outdoors.

But, led by the 2-year-old German Shepherd cross – who only started training with Dyfed-Powys Police in February – handler PC Peter Lloyd spotted the woman waving for help.

He was able to call for support – PC Lloyd that is, not Max – and the parent and tot were then helped down by mountain rescue teams.

Inspector Jonathan Rees-Jones said: “The woman had not been seen or spoken to for two days, which was out of character, and her phone wasn’t working, so naturally concern for her safety was high.”

After her car was found on a mountain road, officers had a rough idea where to look but it was still a huge area to cover, he added.

“This is where PD Max’s tracking skills really came into play,” he said. “Despite only recently becoming licensed, and on his first operational shift, he immediately commenced an open area search.”

After a 90-minute search – which also involved the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and a National Police Air Service – the two were finally found by the new recruit.

“They were safe, but cold, and appeared to have been in the area for a significant amount of time,” Insp Rees-Jones said.

“I must give a special mention to PC Pete Lloyd and Max, who on their very first day since completing their training together covered a significant amount of mileage in the search, eventually locating them safe.”

PC Lloyd added: “Max remained focussed throughout the long search and he proved invaluable.”