MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A small, furry creature is making a “splash” in the law enforcement community.
First responders have long teamed up with dogs in search and rescue operations, but now an otter with an “incredible gift” is stepping into the job, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.
Splash, a 2-year-old Asian small-clawed otter, is the first search and rescue recovery otter in the nation.
Splash and his trainer, Micheal Hadsell, with Peace River K9 Search and Rescue, visited the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Thursday. There, they impressed detectives with a presentation highlighting Splash’s one-of-a-kind recovery skills.
“We were all extremely excited to welcome Splash and Mr. Hadsell to MCSO,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post sharing photos of the tiny search and rescue team member.
Deputies said Splash’s specialized training in scent detection and recovery work makes him a “remarkable asset” that could one day help in finding people lost in bodies of water.
Peace and River K9 Search and Rescue is a Southwest Florida-based nonprofit that assists local, state, military, federal and private agencies in the recovery of lost, missing and abducted persons, according to the organization’s website.
“Partnerships like this showcase how creativity and collaboration can help solve crimes even in the toughest environmental conditions,” the sheriff’s office said.