KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The search for a missing elderly man had a happy ending, thanks in part to some hardworking police dogs and their handlers!
On Tuesday, the Blount County Sheriff's Department's K-9 bloodhound team was called out to help with the search for a man with Alzheimer's disease who had left his home.
Corporal Allen Russell and his K-9 partner Daisy were on the case!
Russell said the search was hampered by rainy weather, which can impact the scent trail, and by the amount of time the man had been gone. But Daisy was prepared for that because of hours of training in harsh conditions.
The search always starts with interviews to get an idea where the person may have gone to help give them a starting point. In many cases like this, Russell said, elderly people could return to an old home place.
They then get a scent article, something the missing person might have worn, for the dog to smell.
Russell said he and Daisy started the initial search at the front door of the house, using a pillowcase from the missing man's bed. Daisy picked up a scent and they searched the immediate area, but with no luck.
Then they got a break. A witness told authorities he'd seen the man in another location, so they headed there to start a new search, and eventually found him. He'd fallen on some rocks about a mile from his home.
The man needed medical attention and was transported to UT Medical Center by Lifestar helicopter.
"Greatest thing in the world, to be able to train an animal to work for us and serve the community, best feeling in the world," Russell said. "To be able to bring someone home, save a life, bring closure to a family, not a better feeling in the world."
Russell said it's really all a game to the dogs, a big game of hide and seek, but they are sensitive to their handler's emotions and know when the search is real and not training.
"She worked really hard, did a fabulous job," Russell said of Daisy.
The K-9 bloodhounds' sole job is to find people, either missing or bad guys on the run.
"We use their natural talents," Russell said. "They know if they find the person, they get a lot of love and rewards at the end, treats. They love to work."
Russell pointed out that he and Daisy are just a small part of a team that works together on any case.
"Way to go K-9 Daisy!!" the post ended.