A MOUNTAIN rescue team has welcomed its newest member after completing a rigorous assessment.

Bonnie the search dog has joined Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) after achieving novice search dog status following a weekend long training session in the Brecon Beacons.

Handler Dean McMann and Bonnie have been training with SARDA England (Search and Rescue Dog Association) to specialise in locating missing or injured people both in mountainous terrain and urban environments using air scent.

The training can take anywhere from 18-months to three years for the handler and the dog to bond to become a search dog team.

During the assessment weekend they had to search six areas that contained “Dogs Bodies” that had been placed out of sight by the assessors, the dog and handler have to move through the area following a search strategy to locate all of the dogs bodies. Bonnie had to follow the scent to the body and then return back to its handler barking to indicate a find.

The pair now have to continue training towards an upgrade to Full Search Dog Team, however the pressure is not on straight away and this takes place within 2 years.

CMRT spokesman Graeme White said “This is another vital asset for us and gives our search managers another useful tool in the box when we are searching for missing people. Dean and Bonnie are now the second dog team for CMRT and make the dogs teams in NESRA (North East Search and Rescue Association) up to nine, which is a massive tool for mountain rescue not only in the North-East but further afield."