OPERATIONAL WILDERNESS TEAMS – CURRENT 2018
Information for deploying a wilderness SAR dog:
Search dog mobilisation should be directed through the New Zealand Police, either local or by the 111 system – if however the dogs and handlers are deployed by other means, then the NZ Police should be notified as soon as possible thereafter.
| Name | Dog | Discipline | Area | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Cheseldine | Moai | Area Search | Northland | (021) 192 0416 |
| Pete Gifford | Kelly | Area Search | Palmerston North | (021) 343 968 |
| Julian Smith | Huey | Tracking | Wellington | Horowhenua | Wairarapa | (021) 797 924 |
| Jonathan Fris – injured |
Pixel |
Area Search | Nelson | (027) 334 6698 |
| Dave Krehic | Enzo | Tracking & Area Search | Christchurch | (0275) 819 819 |
| Emma Milburn |
Dart | Area Search | Canterbury | (021) 146 5074 |
| Murray Bowden | Zeke | Tracking | Hinds | Ashburton | (027) 541 6115 |
| Duncan Hamilton | Baxter | Tracking | West Coast | (027) 224 2595 |
| Duncan Hamilton | Stevie | Tracking | West Coast | (027) 224 2595 |
| Rhys Martin | Archie | Tracking | Hokitika | (027) 205 0834 |
| Sonia Evers | Badger | Tracking | Dunedin | (022) 624 1055 |
| Barry Dougherty | Red | Area Search | Dunedin | (022) 3235 199 |
Search dog mobilisation should be directed through the New Zealand Police, either local or by the 111 system – if however the dogs and handlers are deployed by other means, then the NZ Police should be notified as soon as possible thereafter.
Twice a year all LandSAR groups are provided with an up to date contact list of the operational wilderness SAR dogs. This list (as above)should be part of all groups’ operational folder so that the contact details are readily available. The teams are endorsed Tracking, Area Search or both.
At times dogs are an extremely useful search tool. They are particularly useful for finding non-responsive people and discarded articles, establishing the direction of travel, covering large areas quickly, and working at night and in difficult terrain, but remember they need to be considered early.
Get to know your nearest dog teams so that you can understand their abilities and limitations.
If in any doubt contact your nearest operational handler from the list above.