A police dog is recovering after falling into geothermal water during a search for a missing teacher in Rotorua, New Zealand. Senior Constable Adam Johannsen rescued his dog, Teo, and both sustained injuries in the incident.
Search for Jayleb-Che Dean
Teo and Johannsen were deployed on October 8 as part of the search for Jayleb-Che Dean, a 36-year-old teacher who went missing from a geothermal swimming spot on Waiotapu Loop Rd on September 30. Police have ruled out foul play in Dean’s disappearance and the official search has been suspended.
Johannsen made the decision to put protective boots on Teo for added protection against the geothermal activity. While on a long lead, Teo slipped down into hot water, estimated to be about 85C, as the ground gave way.
“I moved in and grabbed her … the poor thing was so panicked the first thing she did was grip on by my neck,” Johannsen recalled. He then fell into the water as well, initially not feeling the extreme heat before realizing the danger.
In the struggle, Teo also gripped Johannsen’s hand, causing puncture wounds. Johannsen managed to roll them both out of the scalding water and, despite his own leg burns and hand injuries, carried Teo approximately 200 meters to safety.
Teo’s Recovery
Teo suffered serious burns, particularly to her hindquarters. She was initially treated at Central City Vets in Rotorua before being airlifted to Massey University Campus in Palmerston North for specialist care with veterinarian Dr Vicki Erceg.
Teo spent three weeks at the vets, with Johannsen staying by her side during crucial early days. She is now home and recovering, though she still has visible scars and her fur hasn’t fully grown back.
Erceg praised Teo’s strength of character and loyalty to Johannsen, noting that the protective boots he had put on her were significant for her healing. She also highlighted the quick veterinary care as crucial.
New Dog Teams for Rotorua
Rotorua’s police dog section will be bolstered by two new teams. Senior Constable Stu Palmer and his dog, Ridge, and Senior Constable Chrissy Lunt and detector dog Vegas, both graduated from the Dog Training Centre in Trentham in December and are returning to the Bay of Plenty police district.
Palmer has 14 years of policing experience, while Lunt has an impressive 30-year career, including 15 years as a detective.
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