Search-and-rescue dogs from multiple countries aid Venezuela earthquake recovery

Search-and-rescue dogs from more than 20 countries have worked alongside nearly 30,000 first responders and over 3,300 international personnel to locate people trapped in rubble after two earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. The dogs, trained to detect human scent, have searched through damaged buildings and tight spaces that human rescuers cannot easily reach.

Venezuelan officials said the animals helped save 25 people and recover additional bodies from nearly 200 collapsed structures.

International teams and specific dogs A mixed-breed border collie named Tsunami, recognizable by one brown eye and one blue eye, completed what officials described as his final mission before retirement. Venezuela’s government said the dog located several people during the past 10 days.

A Belgian Malinois named Bart, deployed with an Argentine military team, helped rescue two children and recover six bodies. Another Belgian Malinois named Rambo, part of El Salvador’s Urban Search and Rescue team, alerts handlers by barking when he detects a living person.

A dog named Mali from Mexico’s International Topos Rescue Brigade found a white Maltese dog alive and directed searches that recovered six bodies. Additional dogs included border collies Orly and Balam from the Mexican Red Cross, Dastan from the Bogotá Fire Department, and Ivi and Tina from Spanish teams.

Recognition and casualties On Friday, Venezuela’s acting president awarded the title “Venezuela’s Canine Heroes” to dogs from Colombia, Slovakia, Spain, Jordan, Portugal, and the Czech Republic during a ceremony in La Guaira. At least 2,954 people have died in the earthquakes, according to government statements on social media. No official count of missing persons has been released.