RCMP Police Dog Services and drone technology assisted in locating a woman who was lost in the woods in Moncton, N.B.
On March 25, 2024, shortly after 10 a.m., members of the Codiac Regional RCMP responded to a report of a woman in her 70's who went missing from her residence in Moncton. Police and her family were concerned for her wellbeing as they believed she was not dressed for the cold, and did not have her wallet or cellphone with her.
Due to the urgency of the situation and concern for the woman's health and wellbeing, Police Dog Services were called to the scene and the RCMP Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) were deployed. The RPAS Program (also commonly referred to as a drone) is used by the RCMP to capture overhead images and videos to support RCMP operations.
Cpl. Annick Thériault and her Police Service Dog 'Reba' located the woman in a wooded area in a hypothermic state. The woman was transported to hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
"The Codiac RCMP's quick and specialized response, as well as the family's quick report to the police played a significant role in locating the woman safely," says Sgt. Eric Rousselle with the Codiac RCMP. "In situations like this, where time is of the essence, we rely very heavily on our police dogs and handlers."