It’s another night in the open for police dog Thames who has been missing in the rugged Mt Holdsworth area, west of Carterton, since becoming separated from his handler during a training exercise on Sunday.

Search teams spent today probing deep gullies, pushing their way through bush and checking tracks with no sign of the sable coloured three-year-old German Shepherd.

With bad weather looming the teams covered the search area as much as possible before walking out to the track entrance shortly after 9pm tonight.

Teams will be rested from bush searching tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday when the search will be reassessed to determine the next phase leading into the weekend.

“It’s been a tough few days for everyone, especially the handler and his family who want Thames found,” says Senior Sergeant Mark Davidson, head of Wellington Police District dog section.

Some staff will continue with mobile patrols on rural roads bordering the area tomorrow in the hope that Thames has found his way out. If anyone does see a dog resembling Thames in the area then please call police.

“We really appreciate the kind wishes and support from people in the Wairarapa and further afield,” Senior Sergeant Davidson says. “We haven’t given up on bringing Thames home.”

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Media contact: Kaye Calder, Police Public Affairs, 021 192 2915