Wiltshire – A two-year-old dachshund named Mabel slipped her collar and bolted onto the M4 motorway during her owners’ house move, sparking a tense search that ended in relief thanks to dedicated volunteers.[1][2]
Terror Unfolds at Leigh Delamere Services
The incident began on Friday at Leigh Delamere services. Lucy Rogers, 23, and her partner Jordan Goss, also 23, had paused there en route from Lowestoft in Suffolk to their new home in Highbridge, Somerset. Mabel suddenly escaped, racing toward oncoming traffic on the busy motorway.
Rogers recalled the moment vividly. “I pretty much blacked out. I was just screaming. I didn’t even know what to do,” she said. Goss and nearby drivers pulled over to assist. They chased Mabel along the hard shoulder, but the panicked dog eluded them and vanished into nearby fields.[1]
Overnight Search with Cutting-Edge Tech
The couple searched throughout the day with no success. As night fell, they enlisted help from DroneSAR for Lost Dogs, a volunteer group specializing in pet rescues. Operators deployed thermal imaging drones to scan the surrounding countryside.
Several pilots took turns monitoring the area. The effort proved crucial in a challenging environment near a major road. “It was quite pressured,” noted volunteer Caroline Coward, due to the risks posed by the motorway and an adjacent A-road.[2]
Sighting and Tense Pursuit
Rescue teams spotted Mabel around 09:00 GMT on Saturday near a livery yard in Kington St Michael, north of Chippenham. The dog had settled in a hedgerow after her flight across waterlogged terrain. However, initial attempts to approach her failed as she remained in fight-or-flight mode.
Volunteers persisted through the day. Drone footage provided real-time updates on her position. By evening, conditions aligned for a final push. The technology bridged the gap between spotters and searchers effectively.[1]
Guided to a Joyful Reunion
On Saturday night, Rogers received directions from a drone pilot and Coward over the phone. She crossed the sodden field toward the hedgerow. Once there, Rogers lay on the ground and coaxed Mabel with familiar phrases like “would you like some breakfast?” She scattered chicken as bait.
Mabel ignored the food. Instead, she leaped onto Rogers, licking her face excitedly. “She ran straight past the chicken, literally jumped on me and started licking my face and was just going crazy,” Rogers described. The dachshund emerged unscathed, ready for the journey home.[2]
Here are the key elements that made the rescue possible:
- Thermal imaging drones for nighttime tracking.
- Multiple volunteer pilots coordinating sightings.
- Phone guidance to navigate difficult terrain.
- Owner’s knowledge of the dog’s preferences.
- Community response near a high-risk area.
Key Takeaways
- Drone technology transformed a desperate search into a precise operation.
- Volunteer networks like DroneSAR fill critical gaps in pet recoveries.
- Quick thinking and calm coaxing secured the emotional reunion.
Mabel’s story underscores the power of community and innovation in averting tragedy. Rogers hailed the outcome as “literally a miracle.” “I couldn’t have done it without them,” she added. Coward echoed the sentiment: “You never know what the outcome is going to be… But this one was lovely – I find it hard to put it into words. It makes it all worthwhile.”[1]
Pet owners everywhere can draw hope from such efforts. What do you think about the role of drones in animal rescues? Tell us in the comments.
