A retiring search and rescue dog who helped in more than 70 callouts over five years has been praised, as she finally hangs up her harness.
Tarn, a tri-colour border collie, joined Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) in 2020 and “dedicated her life to helping others”.
The group said Tarn had been out in all conditions in the North East and the Lake District “training relentlessly” and her talents involved searching for people and fellow dogs.
Volunteers said the search dog’s “legacy, loyalty, and nose for adventure” would be remembered.
Tarn lives with Mike Needham, a dog handler and deputy team leader, and his family in County Durham.
He said: “At lot people assume dog handling is similar to the police, but because we are volunteers, the dogs are pets first, working dogs second and selected by their prospected handlers,” he said.
MIKE NEEDHAMOne rescue he remembers was during Storm Arwen in 2021.
“Myself, Tarn and another volunteer were tasked to find five missing persons in a car that was stuck in the snow in Westgate.
“We went to look for the car in 80mph winds and successfully located them.”
MIKE NEEDHAMMr Needham said he has started training a second dog, called Eira, who is 20-months-old.
The black-and-white border collie is due to join operations by 2027.
