An RCMP service dog is being hailed as a hero for his role in helping officers rescue an infant from a dangerous situation in the Winnipegosis area last month.
Police service dog Marook and his handler successfully located a man who had fled into the bush on April 18 while carrying an infant, after allegedly making threats to shoot people earlier that day. The baby was not properly dressed for the freezing temperatures, as stated in a May 1 press release by Manitoba RCMP.
The incident began when Winnipegosis RCMP officers received a report about a man threatening residents of a home with a gun. Winnipegosis is located in the municipality of Mossey River.
The suspect left the home with a baby around 2:30 p.m., and it was believed that he was armed and known to the residents of the house.
After locating the suspect’s vehicle shortly afterward, RCMP officers saw him leave the vehicle and run into the bush with the infant. The RCMP then called in dog services, and Marook tracked the suspect for two kilometers through a densely wooded area. Marook and his handler successfully located the suspect and the infant, leading to the man’s arrest.
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“The infant appeared unharmed and was handed over to Emergency Medical Services once officers returned from the bush,” the police stated. “It was confirmed that the infant did not sustain any physical injuries.”
The arrested man was not found in possession of a firearm, according to the police.
A 26-year-old man is currently facing charges of fleeing from a peace officer, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and two counts of uttering threats against a person in relation to this incident. The man remains in custody.
The temperature on the day of the incident ranged from 0°C to -3°C, as reported by Accuweather.
Individuals who are not properly dressed for the weather are at risk of cold temperatures, with infants being at a higher risk.
Babies are more susceptible to cold temperature-related injuries due to their rapid loss of body heat, making them prone to frostbite and hypothermia, as noted by Manitoba Health.
Frostbite occurs when both the skin and body tissue freeze from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, while hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it, leading to a dangerously low body temperature.
