Trainee mountain rescue dog sent out to find hidden volunteer rescues missing ramblers

A trainee rescue dog sent out on an exercise to find a hidden person passed his test with flying colours after finding a real group of lost people.

Scout, who still has another year of training before he becomes operational, has already managed to help a family that had gone astray.

The Woodland Mountain Rescue Team, based in the Peak District, Yorkshire, said it was very proud of the 2-year-old dog.

The team wrote on Facebook: "While out training last night the team's trainee search dog Scout was working in woodland searching out a hidden person when he came across the scent of two unknown people who had become lost in the woodland, were without a torch and did not know how to get to safety.

"Scout immediately returned to his handler to tell him he had found some lost people.

"After indicating a find Scout then guided his handler into where the missing people were situated, returning several times to continue guiding as his handler got nearer the location.

"The pair then helped the people out of the woodland and into safety. It takes 2-3 years to train a search dog, Scout has another year of training before he can become operational, but this is exactly what he will be required to do. Well done Scout."

Not only did he find missing people, the dog also managed to complete his dummy training.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "After delivering the people to the road he went back and resumed his search for the hidden body and repeated the whole process again. He had a really good night.

"Thanks to the body too who had to stay there for a lot longer than planned."