Dog News

Deputy’s Tracking Dog Finds Missing Woman with Alzheimer’s

by Melanie

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2.22.13 Tracking Dog
Tracking dog (stock photo).

 

Thanks to fast-acting police and a tracking dog, a 76-year-old Michigan woman who went missing in the bitter cold has been brought to safety.

St. Clair Shores Deputy Police Chief Glenn Bowlin said the dog and officers saved the woman from almost certain death.  She struggles with Alzheimer’s.

The lady walked away from her home wearing only pajamas.  Her daughter called the police when she discovered her mother was missing.  Police arrived quickly, but were unable to find her.  They called in Macomb County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Szlaga and his tracking dog, Zeke.

Zeke was able to pick up on a faint scent and followed it through the neighborhood.  It got stronger as they walked through a clearing.  After two hours in the dangerously cold weather, the woman was found.

Zeke and his handler were highly praised.

“They did an outstanding job finding this lady who was half frozen to death,” Bowlin said.  “The officers looked and looked and looked and it was virtually impossible to find her early in the morning in the dark.”