Mountain rescue volunteers in Northumberland used a thermal imaging drone to locate a lost dog after three days of searching in temperatures climbing into the high twenties Celsius. the seven‑year‑old black brindled Staffordshire bull terrier, Jock, was found tangled in brambles and reunited with his owner, cancer survivor Andrew Charleton.

Drone Deployment at Dawn Over Rothbury Moor

At first light, the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team launched a small thermal drone from near Jock’s last known location. Pilot Carl Hamilton took advantage of the cooler morning air, which made the dog’s body heat stand out against the cold ground, and within ten minutes the camera pinpointed a heat signature in dense vegetation.

Volunteer Team Composition and Roles

The rescue operation was carried out by drone pilot Carl Hamilton, rescue operative Karl Wait, and duty controller Andrew Miller, with spokesperson Will Close‑Ash explaining the technical constraints. Their effort marked a departure from the team’s usual focus on missing hikers, expanding their remit to include a pet rescue at the request of the local community.

Extreme Weather Complicates Search Efforts

Temperatures rose into the high twenties Celsius during the three‑day search, prompting neighbours, farmers , and gamekeepers to comb the moors on foot, bicycles, and quad bikes, even camping overnight. The heat softened the undergrowth but also increased the risk of dehydration for the dog, making the timely drone detection critical.

Unanswered Details About the Search Timeline

The report does not specify exactly how many hours the volunteers spent searching each day, nor does it confirm whether any other technology, such as GPS collars, was consiedred before deploying the drone. Additionally, it remains unclear if the rescue team will adopt drones as a standard tool for future pet searches.