Bravo returns to work as handler grateful for community help
Beloved police dog Bravo is set to return to work after going missing for two nights from his handler’s home. While his handler had a couple of sleepless nights, fearing both Bravo and the public, the canine seemingly enjoyed downtime being taken care of by a stranger.
Police & Courts
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Police dog Bravo will on Tuesday return to his very important crime-fighting role after he went missing from his Regents Park home at the weekend, causing sleepless nights for many within the Queensland Police Service.
The six-year-old German Sheppard, who works and lives alongside Senior Constable Joe Alofipo as a general duties dog for the QPS, went missing late Friday night after police believe one of the family’s youngsters may have left the back gate open.
“Unfortunately during the night one of the kids has left the gate open or just ajar or the lock’s been faulty, and Bravo has managed to escape the yard,” said QPS Acting Inspector Ben Brouwer.
However, thankfully due to the kindness of a brave stranger, Bravo survived his two nights away from home, and even used the opportunity to enjoy some very worthy downtime from work.
“He was located by a member of the public, and the member of the public has taken him home, given him some water and something to eat for the night,” Acting Inspector Brouwer said.
“(The man has) seen the Facebook or media post and brought him to Logan station in the back seat of his car.”
Although Bravo seemingly had a relaxing few days, his handler had a restless weekend worrying about the safety of his best mate before they were reunited on Sunday after an ‘all-clear’ from Bravo’s vet.
“It was a stressful moment for us, not only as a police officer and a dog handler, but also for my family and my children, they were missing him a lot,” Snr Constable Alofipo said.
“We just wanted to make sure he was safe and that members of the community were safe as well. Him being a police dog, I wasn’t sure how he was going to react … He didn’t have a collar on so to anyone in the community he would’ve just been a normal dog.”
After the news broke Bravo had gone missing, messages of support poured in for the beloved dog, who in 2016 survived a violent attack when he was allegedly set upon by another dog during an arrest.
Some families left food and water out for the dog, while others went walking the streets in search of Bravo.
“(I’m) just really thankful to the Logan community who were out there,” Snr Cnst Alofipo said.
“I know a lot of kids and parents were out there looking. I just want to give my heartfelt gratitude to the Queensland community.”
