MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG BEAR FROM SUSSEX POLICE
THIN BLUE PAW LIFESAVER AWARD WINNER
Retired Police Dog Bear served as a general purpose police dog with Sussex Police until he retired in 2020. He was adopted by fellow officer, Julia, who is from East Sussex.
Julia, her husband Ian and Bear were out walking in the South Downs, near Eastbourne, on 28th November when Bear sprang into action, leading them to the man who had fallen over in some dense undergrowth. He was cold, wet and confused.
Police had already been searching for the man but had been unable to locate him so Julia helped him to his feet and Bear led them to safety. It was lucky that the retired police team were even out as it was Bear’s first walk for weeks following his recovery from major surgery to remove two tumours.
It’s the second time Bear – who now serves as a wellbeing and trauma support dog for police officers – has bounced back from poor health. Last summer, he needed an £8,500 specialist operation to repair two herniated discs in his spine caused by his years of strenuous police work.
The surgery, which helped Bear back to full mobility, and rehabilitation afterwards was partly funded by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which offers financial support to those who adopt retired police dogs in order to ensure they have access to the best care and treatment.
Presenting Bear with the Lifesaver Award, Thin Blue Paw Foundation trustee and co-founder Kieran Stanbridge said: “Bear dedicated years of his life to vital police work and his quick actions and calm nature in this scenario showed that he still has a nose for the job. “At his age and after everything he’s been through, to save a man’s life is testament to the incredible skill and instinct that these dogs have. He’s a true hero and the perfect recipient of our Lifesaver Award.”
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “I was proud to present PD Bear with a Lifesaver Award for his heroic work to locate a man in distress. “It is incredible Bear is continuing to inspire us with his skills, and caps a remarkable career of service even after his well-earned retirement from the force in 2020. “Bear’s story is a testament to the high standards achieved by all of our police dogs and their handlers in Sussex, and demonstrates our commitment to helping the public and serving our communities.”
Bear’s previous handler, Iain Sutherland, was also present at the ceremony, along with Chief Inspector Di Lewis, who previously headed up the dog unit and brought Bear and his sister, Maggie, onto the force after they’d been bred for Kent Police but were not needed.
She brought them onto the team and Maggie went on to be used for breeding but is now enjoying her retirement in Dubai, while Bear worked as a general purpose police dog where he also completed public order support dog and firearms support dog training.
Julia, who had no idea that Bear was to receive the award, said: “The award was amazing and completely unexpected; to say it was a surprise would be an understatement! “Bear found several people during his working life who probably wouldn’t have survived without him, but he and his handler never got any recognition at the time because they were simply doing their job. “For him to get this award now, in his retirement, and for his former handler, Iain, to have been there too, is very special. We’re all super proud of him.”
Bear’s amazing story has received attention from around the world, but he’s taken it all in his stride and enjoyed a quiet Christmas at home with his family.
