After an extensive search that included police, coastguards, as well as a pair sausage-dangling drones (a huge search), a loved pet dog has been found its family.
The four-day operation was a success. In desperate need of Millie the Jack Russell, searchers attached Millie’s favorite snack to drones to fly them across mud flats to try to lure her away.
Millie was missing for 2 days. Emma Oakes became increasingly concerned after several reports of Millie running close to main roads.
Hampshire Constabulary and Solent Coastguard helped to locate the woman. Also, kayakers and Denmead Drone Search and Rescue volunteer volunteers were part of this extraordinary effort.
Millie was spotted on the Farlington Marshes mudflats, near Portsmouth. DDSAR (Dogs Search and Rescue) and Coastguard deployed drones and kayaks in an effort to rescue the dog.
DDSAR volunteers came up with the brilliant idea to attach sausages to drones as a way to “lure” Millie into safety.
Millie, the Jack Russell disappeared (pictured), prompting a massive search and rescue operation in Portsmouth that involved Hampshire Constabulary as well as search and rescue teams
Drone rescue specialists tied a sausage on a device to try to get the dog to safety.
Elliot Exton explained the situation to us as one volunteer: “At high tide we had two teams of kayakers try to sail out to the beach to check for the sightings.
“We thought it would be fun to put sausages on the drone in order to lure the girl towards us, since she was at high tide.
“But Millie would not cross the mud, and she would only remain on the grassy parts.”
Although volunteers stayed out into the wee hours of the morning trying to lure Millie, the results were not good.
Ms Oakes is a caregiver manager who said that juggling work and searching for Millie was exhausting. She also stated she spent many nights worried about Millie’s welfare.
Millie, who was spotted in Havant near Portsmouth on Monday night, was finally found by Tony Oakes and Jasper, her border collie, to save her.
Millie was seen on mudflats. The rescuers had concerns for Millie’s safety so they tried to get her out of danger by hanging a sausage from their drone.
Millie couldn’t be lured away by the sausage.
Recognizing the two Jack Russells, the Jack Russell raced towards them. He then jumped in Mr Oakes arms.
Ms Oakes was relieved and said, “Relief just came over me. It was exhausting. I had been looking for Millie, and I was working simultaneously.
“It was absolutely amazing to have her at home. My dad called me and I was able to breathe again without worrying about it every day.
It’s a great relief to finally be able to call her own. Millie has been traumatized, God bless her.
“She is extremely skittish, afraid of all people who come up close to and touch her.”
Ms Oakes expressed her gratitude to volunteers, emergency personnel and volunteers who helped during the search. She especially thanked the “fantastic” drone team for providing constant updates and innovative ideas for saving Millie.
Exton stated that even though the search was difficult, the reward was worthwhile.
He added, “We want to thank all who reported sightings.”
“We are all volunteers. We don’t need any money. All we want is the best for our dog.