One man and his rescue dog

Jan 5 2009 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

One man and his dog

There are two other dogs and handlers at Woodhead MRT – one in training and the other qualified.

The dogs provide a vital resource for finding missing and injured people quickly on mountains and moors. Dogs can even scent people under many feet of water.

Mr Thackray said: “As a dog handler you get sent to search areas that ordinary foot searches cannot reach. We can cover the ground quicker and it frees up people for other tasks, maximising the search area. A dog can do the job of about 20 human searchers in half the time.”

Most of the call outs Mr Thackray and Dodge have attended have been for missing people, or injured and lost people who had dialled 999 for help. All have been found alive and well.

Mr Thackray, who has been with Woodhead MRT for six years, said it is hard work but all worthwhile. “I just about managed to have my New Year’s Day dinner, then I was out.

“It is satisfying and rewarding whatever the outcome. If I find a person deceased, I have at least given closure for the family. Fortunately I have not had that situation yet.