GPS for police dogs in the pipeline

DOG GONE: Thames the missing police dog is reunited with his handler, Mike Wakefield, after a week-long search - now GPS tracking systems for search and rescue dogs are being trialled. PHOTO/FILE

Police have confirmed they are trialling GPS tracking devices for police search and rescue dogs.

Police said a decision whether to provide search and rescue dogs with GPS trackers would be made in the next few months.

The news comes after Wairarapa police dog Thames was recovered after a week-long search on Mt Holdsworth.

Police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said police had been trialling a variety of GPS tracking systems before Thames disappeared.

"That work has been well advanced and has been piloted by several police dogs in the last few months and a decision as to their appropriateness for use will be made shortly."

Police search and rescue dogs were "effectively a four-legged member of police" and worked in a challenging environment, she said.

The cost of the tracking systems could not yet be confirmed, but it costs about $60,000 to train a police dog, not including ongoing costs such as food and upkeep.

There are more than 100 police dogs in New Zealand, working on general patrols, rescue and recovery work, and drug and cash detection.