K9-RSQ Dog Search and Rescue Stories

Dog Search and Rescue missions carried out by the K9-RSQ volunteers require a huge amount of effort, probably far more than most people would realise.

The starting point is nearly always with a family member or close friend reaching out to us for help. Or, it may be that we have already seen a missing dog post on social media, generally on Facebook. You can read more about how it all works behind the scenes here.

Below you will find just a small section of our missing dog search and rescue stories, we hope you like them…

K9-RSQ BBC Look North August 20th 2024

On August 20th 2024 Look North were kind enough to run a feature on some of our volunteer work. The clip included a huge search for Legacy who was a rescue from Gran Canaria in Spain’s Canary Islands.

That was a particularly urgent mission as Legacy had taken cover dangerously close to the M1.

Click the images below to watch more surveillance camera and drone footage…

Milo Safely Reunited After a Week-Long Search February 2025

After nearly a week of evading rescue efforts, Milo has finally been safely trapped and reunited with his owner! His successful capture on Saturday, February 1st, was the result of coordinated teamwork between K9-RSQ, Erica Hart (HARTSAR), and K9-SAR.

Milo’s Disappearance and Search Efforts

Milo, a timid and anxious dog, went missing on January 25, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM while on a walk with his owner at Brockadale Nature Reserve (WF8 3LJ). Shortly after, he was spotted running across fields near the A1, heading toward Wentedge Road. It was unclear whether he continued along the A1 or diverted into nearby fields.
K9-SAR led the initial search and called in drone pilot Erica Hart to assist in tracking Milo’s movements. Over the following days, teams closely monitored the area, setting up surveillance stations and using drone technology to locate him (see linked videos).

Trap Deployment and Final Capture

On Friday, January 31st, K9-RSQ deployed a humane trap with food to lure Milo in. Surveillance cameras captured him investigating the trap late into the night, but he remained hesitant and did not enter.
Fortunately, Milo returned to the trap site on Saturday afternoon, February 1st. At around 3:00 PM, he finally stepped inside, and the trap was remotely secured—bringing his week-long ordeal to an end.

Acknowledgments and Thanks

Milo is now back home, safe and well, thanks to the dedication of K9-SAR, K9-RSQ, HARTSAR, and the many community members who provided crucial sightings. His rescue highlights the importance of coordinated teamwork, patience, and humane trapping in bringing lost dogs home safely.

A huge thank you to everyone involved—volunteers, drone pilots, and the public—for your vital assistance in tracking Milo’s movements.
Welcome home, Milo! ❤️🐶💙

Successful Rescue of Kirja After Intense 12-Day Search – August 2025

The rescue of Kirja has been one of the most intense and challenging searches our team has been involved in, but thanks to relentless efforts from our volunteers and the community, she is finally safe.
Kirja, a dog from Manchester, went missing on July 30th while visiting family near Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium in Sheffield. From the moment she escaped, our team assisted daily in tracking her movements and setting up a rescue plan.

Tracking Kirja’s Movements

After her escape, Kirja settled in the Chelsea Park and Brincliffe Edge area of South Sheffield, but she never stayed in one place for long. She was also spotted in nearby allotments, Bingham Woods, and as far as Forge Dam.
Last Sunday, a coordinated search was organized at Chelsea Park, led by drone pilot Rick Aungiers. Over 20 volunteers helped by blocking park exits while Kirja’s owner, Vicki, searched with team members in an attempt to contain and capture her. Although Kirja was briefly spotted in the woods, she quickly hid—a behaviour she repeated throughout the search.
Surveillance cameras were placed in the park, and while Kirja appeared on one, she did not seem particularly hungry and ignored some of the food left for her.

Trap Deployment and Final Capture

By August 10th, Kirja was still evading capture, primarily moving at night. That morning, a sighting was reported in a garden in the Carter Knowle Road area. Volunteers and team members responded immediately, but once again, Kirja remained hidden.
In response, a humane trap was set in two adjoining gardens in the Carter Knowle Road/Avenue area. The breakthrough came just after midnight when our surveillance cameras detected Kirja at the trap. This time, she couldn’t resist the cooked chicken—and the trap was successfully triggered at 12:12 AM.
At last, Kirja was safe!

Thank You to the Community

We want to express our sincere gratitude to the residents of Carter Knowle for their support, allowing us to place cameras and traps in their gardens. A huge thank you also goes to the volunteers who assisted in Chelsea Park and throughout the entire search.
Special thanks to Craig Tihany Pedro, who was on standby most nights and arrived at the trap within minutes of activation, as well as Mandy Butler and Nick Smith from The Lost Dog Trapping Team – UK Search & Rescue Network for their expertise and advice.
Welcome home, Kirja! 💙🐶❤️

After weeks of roaming alone in the Harthill and Wales area of Sheffield, a stray German Shepherd has finally been brought to safety.

This dog had been seen dodging traffic, avoiding well-meaning members of the public, and disappearing into hiding spots across the village.

Tracking and Rescue Efforts

K9-RSQ’s Craig Tihany Pedro worked tirelessly, repeatedly returning to set up feeding stations and surveillance equipment in an effort to keep the dog off the roads and in a safe area. The breakthrough came when a camera detected the dog near a nearby farm in Wales, Sheffield.
With several K9-RSQ team members away, we reached out to The Lost Dog Trapping Team – UK Search & Rescue Network for assistance. Mandy Butler and Nick Smith responded immediately, and Nick deployed a humane “super trap” at the feeding site. It wasn’t long before the dog entered the trap, and the door securely locked—bringing a sigh of relief, especially given the farm’s close proximity to the M1 motorway.

A Community Effort

This rescue would not have been possible without the teamwork of so many caring individuals:
• Joe Forth, who first raised the alarm about this dog—without his report, this rescue wouldn’t have been possible.
• Residents of Harthill and Wales, who provided valuable sightings and support.
• Lynn Leather, who allowed us to place cameras and a trap on her farm.
• Trudy Duke, our team admin, who took the dog in overnight after the vets were unable to accept him.
• The Lost Dog Trapping Team, for their swift response and expert assistance in safely capturing the dog.

What’s Next?

The dog is now safe, and the dog warden has been contacted for collection. This rescue was a perfect example of teamwork at its best—proving once again that with patience, coordination, and community support, even the most elusive dogs can be brought to safety.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in this rescue! ❤️🐶💙