Search team deployed to seek clues about missing man after dog believed to be his was found alive

RCMP say a search team was sent to look for clues in the case of a missing man from Fort St. John, B.C., after a dog that family members recognize as his was found alive.

However, Cpl. Madonna Saunderson says the team was unable to locate any new information on the whereabouts of Jim Barnes and the search team was once again called off, though the investigation remains an active priority for local RCMP.

On Facebook, North Peace Search and Rescue posted a photo of volunteers searching the Halfway River area earlier this week, near where the dog was found, around 120 kilometres from where Barnes and his golden retriever were last seen.

Barnes, a paramedic, was reported missing Oct. 18 from a forest service road south of Fort St. John where he had taken his dog, named Murphy, to collect firewood and potentially shoot grouse.

Though his truck and some belongings were found, search efforts offered no clues into the whereabouts of either Barnes or his dog.

Then, on Nov. 28, a photo of a golden retriever that was found injured and emaciated northwest of Fort St. John was posted to a Facebook group for lost and found pets. After being taken to a vet it was released into the care of Barnes's partner, who says she is confident the dog is Murphy.

A fully positive identification of the dog has not been possible because of its lack of tattoos, microchips or distinctive markings. 

But the belief that it is Murphy was backed up by Shelley Donally, a breeder and groomer who cared for the retriever. She was asked to check over the found dog, as well, and said its behaviour and the growth of its fur was consistent with what she would expect from Murphy based on when she last gave him a trim.

"We're very clear in our opinion that is Murphy," she said.

In an emailed statement, Saunderson said RCMP is looking into DNA tests to confirm the found dog's identity but "these tests take time."

Donally previously told CBC News that such tests could take several months to be completed as they are only done in a handful of specialized facilities.

LISTEN | Donally explains how she worked to identify the found dog: 

Radio West7:40Golden retriever believed to belong to missing man found

A dog groomer who helped identify an injured golden retriever found north of Fort St. John explains why she believes it belongs to Jim Barnes, a paramedic who went missing in the region in October.