8 May 2015

Handler is not giving up on finding lost dog

5:57 pm on 8 May 2015

The handler of the missing police dog says he is not giving up on finding his mate.

The three-year-old German shepherd, Thames, went missing on Sunday in the Totara Creek-Red Creek area of the Wairarapa during a search-and-rescue exercise.

Police say they are scaling back the search but will still have some staff combing the area over the next few days.

Police dog Thames.

Police dog Thames. Photo: NZ Police

Constable Mike Wakefield said he can not just sit at home and wait for Thames to turn up so he has a team and a plan, and will keep looking.

Mr Wakefield said there had been help from all over the country and a team of six are searching higher up the mountain tomorrow.

Police have also asked trampers and hunters to keep an eye out.

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