THE Riverland community has bid farewell to State Emergency Service (SES) search and rescue dog Jagger, who after six years of service has retired.
The much-loved community figure started in Loxton at just 10 weeks old, and was the first search and rescue dog to be trained in the region.
While he will be dearly missed, his owner Gemma Wood said retirement was the best decision for the six-and-a-half-year-old’s wellbeing.
“Every dog is different and it’s totally up to the handler or their owner to be able to communicate with their dog and understand their dog well enough to make the right decision for them,” she said.
“Obviously they can’t really make that decision for themselves, so it’s up to me to really pay close attention to Jagger and where he’s at, and make the decision that’s best for him.”
Ms Wood said his retirement feels bittersweet, but she has some fond memories of working with him on the job.
“Probably his first search (is the most memorable one) – there were a few tears on that one, and it was a big deal for us,” she said.
“But I guess every search and every time he found someone was memorable.”
Ms Wood firmly believes the level of service search and rescue dogs bring to the community is important, and said the next group of SES dogs will do the same.
“The team has three other operational dogs now as well as a couple of pups that are still in training,” she said.
“I’m probably a bit bias, but I certainly believe they are a resource that definitely has its place like any other resource in the community.
“I think dogs provide a service that can’t really be simulated.”