Heroic Police K9 Rescues 85-Year-Old Woman Clinging to Tree in Colorado Ravine
A missing 85-year-old woman was tracked down by a police K9 named Mercury and his handler Officer Austin Speer in Colorado on Saturday.
The harrowing part of this story is that the woman was clinging to a tree near a ravine when she was rescued by this heroic duo.
The City of Greenwood Village Government posted on Facebook, in part, "yesterday after police received a call reporting an 85-year-old woman had gone missing for 2 hours. K-9 Mercury, who is trained in searching and tracking missing persons, tracked and found the missing woman clinging to a tree down a steep ravine where she could not be seen from the roadway or canal."
I can't even imagine how worried her whole family must have been!
Related: Police K9 Dog's Spot-On Siren Impression Is Cracking Everyone Up
In the video shared to Facebook you can hear Mercury's handler calling him a good boy as Mercury picks up the scent and runs towards the trees. You can also hear Officer Speer say, "Hi, ma'am. This is a friendly dog. He found you. Isn't that good? We're going to get you home, ok?"
On Facebook the woman's son shared the following comment, "This is my mom and I am so grateful for Mercury and Officer Speer, the kind and professional dispatch gal I spoke with and all involved on this team effort to save my mom who was "gassed out" after trying to climb this hill and unable to move. I had been searching for her for two hours and Mercury and officer Speer found her in 10 minutes: UNBELIEVABLE! It was like watching a Navy Seal extraction: I am so grateful to live in City of Greenwood Village Government."
What an absolutely wonderful comment and outcome! We are so happy his mom is now safe thanks to this wonderful K9 and his handler!
Why Police Dogs are So Valuable
The US Department of Justice reports that the total average cost of a successful canine police program is $55,672.42.
Not only do these incredible dogs have to be trained for drug detection, but also how to perform search and rescue and how to help apprehend criminals.
Police dogs able to search through rubble after a devastating explosion, earthquake, or other disaster. They find people lost in avalanches. These dogs search for explosives and illegal drugs, they canvas large events to look for explosives, and help search civilian vehicles that have been pulled over.
Basic training for the patrol dogs takes approximately 4 months of full-time work, sometimes longer.
In addition to that, these amazing pups are like family both to the officers who work with them and their relatives.
Mercury was trained specifically to locate and find missing or lost persons, and it seems that this dog is excelling at their job! What a good boy he is! Congratulations to Merc and his handler Officer Austin Speer for being such wonderful heroes.
Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
