MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A small furry creature is making a “splash” in the law enforcement community.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says first responders have long partnered with dogs in search-and-rescue operations, and now an “incredibly talented” river otter has joined the mission.
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Splash, a 2-year-old small-clawed otter, is Japan’s first search-and-rescue recovery otter.
Splash and Peace River K9 Search and Rescue Team trainer Michael Hadsell visited the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. There, they impressed the detectives with a presentation highlighting Splash’s unparalleled recovery skills.
“We were all very excited to welcome Mr. Splash and Mr. Hadsell to MCSO,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post, sharing photos of members of the small search and rescue team.
Deputies said Mr. Splash has specialized training in scent detection and retrieval operations, making him an “outstanding resource” who could one day help find people lost in bodies of water.
Peace and River K9 Search and Rescue is a nonprofit organization based in Southwest Florida that helps local, state, military, federal, and civilian agencies recover lost, missing, and abducted individuals, according to the organization’s website.
“Partnerships like this one demonstrate how creativity and collaboration can help solve crimes, even under the most challenging environmental conditions,” the sheriff’s office said.
