Four-Legged Hero: Bloodhound Mabel Helps Save Missing Man in Cross Hill

Quick action, teamwork, and a remarkable nose for the job made all the difference Friday evening when Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Bloodhound Mabel located a missing adult on Longview Road in Cross Hill.

Deputies responded to a report of an individual with medical issues who had gone missing from their home and was unable to be located. Time was critical — and that’s when Mabel and her handler stepped in. Within a short time of arriving on scene, Mabel picked up the scent and led the team directly to the individual, who had fallen and was unable to get up on his own. Thanks to Mabel’s precision tracking and the swift response of first responders, the man was safely located and treated.

“This is exactly why our K9s are such an essential part of our team,” said Courtney Snow, Public Information Officer for the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. “Their instincts, discipline, and determination truly save lives. Every day, our bloodhounds and K9s are out there protecting this community in ways that often go unseen — and this is a perfect example of their incredible impact.”

Across South Carolina and the nation, K9 units like Mabel’s have become an increasingly vital resource for law enforcement. Whether tracking missing persons, locating evidence, or assisting in criminal apprehensions, these highly trained dogs provide capabilities that technology simply can’t replace. Their work extends beyond enforcement — it’s about compassion, community safety, and often, life-saving intervention.

The Sheriff’s Office also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated handlers who invest countless hours training, conditioning, and caring for these four-legged heroes. “They are more than partners,” Snow added. “They are family — and every success story like this one reminds us just how invaluable they are.”

In Laurens County and beyond, Bloodhound Mabel’s success serves as another shining example of the extraordinary impact K9 units make every single day.