On Boxing Day 2016 Buxton Mountain Rescue Team Search Dog, Megan, reached the age of 12.  Megan’s handler and owner, Dave, decided that at this age it was time for Megan to put her paws up from operational duties and retire.

Megan was born in Buxworth in December 2004.  At the age of 14 weeks she went to live with Dave who started the process of training her as an air scenting search dog. Megan successfully passed her first assessments in June 2007 and started work immediately.
During the course of her career Megan has averaged around 18 call outs per year and has searched and cleared 100’s of square kilometres of land.  In the course of her career she has made 7 operational finds, two of which could well have been life saving.

Megan was commended by the Chief Constable of Derbyshire for the find of a concealed murder victim in March 2010 which subsequently led to a successful investigation and prosecution of the offender.

Megan will remain with her family during her retirement and will continue to attend team fundraising and PR events.  She will also continue to attend training sessions where she will offer novice search dogs advice and guidance.  Dave is currently in the process of training a new search dog, Griff who will have big paws to fill.

All the team members wish Megan a long and happy retirement.

Photo credit: BMRT  –  top, Megan on duty and awaiting instructions.   Lower, dreaming of pork pies in front of the fire.