Missing police dog spends third night in the open

The 3-year-old sable-coloured German Shepherd, called Thames, went missing yesterday afternoon in the Mt Holdsworth area during a team training exercise. Photo / NZ Police

Missing police dog Thames spent a third night in the open last night after he became separated from his handler during a training exercise in the rugged Mt Holdsworth area on Sunday.

Search teams made their way through the area west of Carterton for any sign of the sable coloured three-year-old German Shepherd until 9pm last night.

Police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said search teams weren't returning to the bush today because of poor weather and to allow the search teams to rest.

"It's a combination of the weather and of being in the bush doing hard physical searching for two days," she said.

Police were still hopeful Thames would be found alive.

"We have to remain optimistic, he is a fit and healthy dog - their endurance skills are high, but there is the possibility that he has been injured," she said.

Officer in charge of the Wellington police dog section, Senior Sergeant Mark Davidson said the days since Sunday had been "tough", particularly for Thames' handler and his family.

Police ask anyone who sees a dog resembling Thames in the area to call police.

"We really appreciate the kind wishes and support from people in the Wairarapa and further afield," Mr Davidson said.

"We haven't given up on bringing Thames home."