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Missing Woman With Dementia Found Safe Thanks To Loyal Dog

July 27, 2024

A recent search-and-rescue operation in Emery County, Utah, ended happily, thanks to the determination of local authorities, a helpful neighbor, and a couple of dogs.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources / Facebook

Last month, the Emery County Sheriff’s Office received a distressing report: a woman with dementia had gone missing after taking the family dog for a walk on the mountainside and had not returned for over a day. Responding swiftly, an officer from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and his K-9 partner, Kip, joined the search efforts alongside neighbors and search-and-rescue teams, including a local resident, Ralph Mitchell.

Arriving at the search area shortly after dark, the officer faced challenging conditions. The daytime temperature had soared to nearly 100 degrees, while the nighttime temperature dropped to a chilly 55 degrees. Despite these difficulties and the presence of many search personnel, K-9 Kip, a trained and certified human tracker, began his work.

Around 3:30 a.m., Kip and the officer heard a dog barking near some cabins. Believing it might be the missing woman’s dog, they moved toward the sound but found no trace of her. The following day, Ralph Mitchell provided a crucial lead. He had also heard barking the previous day, coming from an area without homes. Reviewing local security footage, they spotted the woman walking east with her dog.

The officer, Kip, and Mitchell then split up to search the area in that direction. As they climbed higher up the mountainside, they once again heard barking. Following the sound, they discovered the missing woman. Though she was extremely dehydrated and had lost her shoes, she was otherwise in good condition, suffering only minor scratches and bruises.

Mitchell offered her his water and went to find cell service to notify the sheriff. The officer stayed with her until additional help arrived, and she was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

"At the end of the day, her dog saved her life by barking to alert those searching in the area. We're so glad she was found safe," the Utah DWR said.