Cebu City now has rescue dogs

CEBU, Philippines - Concerned Cebuanos have volunteered their dogs for search and rescue (SAR) training 13 canines are now ready for deployment to help authorities.

Cebu Canine Search and Rescue president Carlos Fernandez said that instead of only staying at home, they wanted their dogs to undergo training and be of help during SAR operations.

He said the German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador breeds, among others, have undergone trainings on human remains detection, finding live people, and bomb sniffing.

He said the dogs are being trained by the United Nations, particularly the World Health Organization. Fernandez’s Belgian Malinois breed named Enzo has been deployed for human remains detection during disasters.  Enzo, a multi-purpose breed, has discovered at least 227 remains of victims of the November 8 super typhoon Yolanda. Fernandez said it was in Tacloban City when he discussed with UN and WHO representatives the need to establish a canine SAR.

The 13 dogs are currently sheltered at the Basak Pardo Emergency Response office in Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City.  The office is headed by City Councilor David Tumulak, who also heads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

Fernandez said yesterday there are already 87 dogs being volunteered by their owners to their group for training.

Alvin Santillana, CCDRRMC operations chief, said they welcome the group’s move, saying they could also use the dogs in detecting illegally caught fishes and contrabands and even in fighting hostage-takers. — (FREEMAN)