Four search dogs recruited to London Fire & Rescue Service

A new elite canine squad is joining London`s fire and rescue service to sniff out people trapped in collapsed buildings. Known as `USAR` - Urban Search and Rescue dogs - they will follow in the heroic and highly professional paw-prints of the dogs that went to the Pakistan earthquake, the USA`s 9/11 dogs, and the rescue dogs used during the Boscastle Floods, in Cornwall. Each dog - usually a collie or springer spaniel - receives specialist training for 18 months to 2 years to develop its acute sniffing skills before being ready for service, and is kitted out with protective boots and jackets. The dog squad is being funded by a £430,000 investment announced by Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda who was visiting Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service to see a practice drill mimicking the conditions of a rescue search.