Fire search and rescue dog Holly from Sleaford dies

Holly had been the companion and work mate of handler and serving fire officer Neil Woodmansey, who lives in the town, a member of the county’s Urban Search and Rescue team.

They had served all over the country and abroad search for trapped survivors under collapsed buldings in locations such as the earthquake in Pakistan and the tidal wave that struck Haiti in 2010. She retired after 10 years’ service.

In a message on social media, the fire service said this morning: “She was an amazing dog, colleague and will be missed

“She saved many lives and won many great awards for her bravery in her lifetime.”

She was named Sleafordian of the Year in the Town Awards, the Golden Oldie Award at the 2011 Dogs Trust Awards and accompanied Neil carrying the 2012 Olympic torch on its relay journey.

They have issued a video of Holly which you can see here.