[S]ergeant Mark Yielder and his police dog Uno will be leaving the doghouse for the last time next week.
After joining Cumbria Police 30 years ago today (July 19th), Sgt Yielder worked in Barrow and Wigton before reaching his dream of becoming a dog handler.
Describing it as the ‘most special job in the world’, he joined the dog section 25 years ago, becoming the Sergeant at the helm in 2007.
“I joined the police purely so I could become a dog handler; it’s all I wanted to do as I found it so interesting,” he said.
“It’s a massive commitment as you not only come to work with your dogs, you take them home too, and most of us will still do some training while we are on leave. But it is such a satisfying job. When you get a dog as a puppy and take it through training, and then take it out and get a positive result, it’s a good feeling.”
During his time at the Constabulary, Sgt Yielder has had nine working dogs – four German Shepherds, three Spaniel drugs dogs, and two Spaniel bomb dogs. He still cites a job with Rocky, his first dog, as one of the memorable ones.
He said: “We were searching for a missing elderly farmer who had gone out in bad weather, and had searched for hours when Rocky brought the farmer’s cap to me. He led me to him and the farmer was there tangled in barbed wire. Thankfully he was saved, and it really brought it home to me how satisfying the job is.
“I’ve searched for lots of missing people over the years, uncovered drugs and evidence that have proved vital in court cases, searched events and areas ahead of VIP visits, and done so much more.
“It is the most fantastic career and the dogs love it, but it is wrong to think it is all fluffy. Our dogs are out working with us every single day on a variety of jobs and in all conditions.”
Sgt Yielder will spend his last few working days with many of his dog handler colleagues at Kendal Calling, before him and Spaniel Uno retire together.
“I couldn’t leave without Uno,” he said. “She will join my other retired police dog Max, and two pet pugs.
“I’ve had the most amazing career at Cumbria Police and am so proud to have served with each and every handler and dog that I’ve worked with.”
