Suchergebnisse

Harmonisation of regulations in the European Union and the European Economic Area, as of January 1, 2012, has led to an increase in the number of rescue dogs imported to Norway from Eastern European countries, in particular Romania. Today the only requirements for dogs entering Norway are rabies vaccination and prophylactic Echinococcus multilocularis treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibody levels to rabies virus in vaccinated rescue dogs and to examine if the dogs had sufficient antibody response according to the recommended titre ≥0.5 IU/ml by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). A significant proportion (53%, 95% CI (41% to 65%)) of imported rescue dogs from Eastern Europe were found to have inadequate titres after rabies vaccination. Moreover, 41 per cent of the dogs had antibody levels below or equal to 0.2 IU/ml, and among these, 14 dogs had titres ≤0.1 IU/ml, which is considered negative in the fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation assay. This study indicates that the present regulation increases the risk of introducing rabies from member states where rabies is still prevalent to countries considered free from rabies.

Our research explores serum extracellular circulating miRNAs (ecmiRNAs) involved in dog stress response immediately after the search and rescue (SAR) of missing people. The experimental plan considers four arduous SAR simulations. The SAR dogs are trained by the Alpine School of the Military Force of Guardia di Finanza (Passo Rolle, Italy). The First SAR Trial analyzed dog serum samples at rest time (T0), and immediately after SAR performance (T1) using the miRNome-wide screening next-generation sequencing (NGS). T1 versus T0 NGS results revealed a different expression level of let-7a and let-7f. Subsequently, in a large sample size including: 1st (n = 6), 2nd (n = 6), 3rd (n = 6), and 4th (n = 4) trials, let-7a and let-7f were validated by qPCR. Bioinformatics analysis with TarBase (v.8) and the Diana-mirPath (v.3) revealed a functional role of let-7a and let-7f in the p53 pathway to restore cellular homeostasis. Let-7a and let-7f, highly expressed at T1, could stop MDMs-p53 inhibition inducing the p53 increase in level. In addition, let-7a and let-7f, via p53 post-transcriptional regulation, buffers p53 transcription spikes. During SAR stress, the possibility of p53 preconditioning could explain the phenomenon of "stress hardening" where the tolerance of particular stress increases after preconditioning.

Saving human lives is of paramount importance in avalanche rescue missions. Avalanche military dogs represent an invaluable resource in these operations. However, their performance can be influenced by several environmental, social and transport challenges. If too severe, these are likely to activate a range of responses to stress, which might put at risk the dogs' welfare. The aim of this study was to assess the physiological and behavioural responses of a group of military dogs to a Simulated Avalanche Search and Rescue mission (SASR). Seventeen avalanche dogs from the Italian Military Force Guardia di Finanza (SAGF dogs) were monitored during a simulated search for a buried operator in an artificial avalanche area (SASR). Heart rate (HR), body temperature (RBT) and blood samples were collected at rest the day before the trial (T0), immediately after helicopter transport at the onset of the SASR (T1), after the discovery of the buried operator (T2) and 2 hours later (T3). Heart rate (HR), rectal body temperature (RBT), cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. During the search mission the behaviour of each SAGF dog was measured by focal animal sampling and qualitatively assessed by its handler and two observers. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated. Snow and environmental variables were also measured. All dogs successfully completed their search for the buried, simulated victim within 10 minutes. The SASR was shown to exert significant increases on RBT, NEFA and cortisol (P<0.001), CK and HR (P<0.01), AST and LDH (P<0.05). These indicate the activation of a response to stress probably induced by the addition of factors such as helicopter transport, disembarking, and the search and rescue exercise. However, changes were moderate and limited over time, progressively decreasing with complete recovery at T3 except for sera cortisol that showed a slightly slower decline. More time walking within the search was related to lower RBT, conversely to walking. Standing still with head up and exploring with head-up were inversely related with HR. Agreement between handler and observers' opinions on a dog's search mission ability was found only for motivation, signalling behaviour, signs of stress and possessive reward playing. More time signalling was related to shorter search time. In conclusion, despite extreme environmental and training conditions only temporary physiological and behavioural changes were recorded in the avalanche dogs. Their excellent performance in successful simulated SASR may be attributable to extensive training and good dog-handler relationships. Simulated SASR did not seem to impair SAGF dogs' performance or welfare.

In December 2014, a fire broke out in a house in Baldwin County, Georgia. A woman who was trapped inside managed to call 911. However, the smoke was so thick that she was unable to speak. Deputy Josh Mays responded to the call. When he arrived at the scene, flames were pouring out of the house. He ran inside the burning home and spotted the victim on the floor in the kitchen. Then, suddenly, the roof began to collapse. Would the deputy be able to rescue the woman in time? Dramatic, true stories will keep readers turning the pages as they learn about how these skilled officers stay calm, think quickly, and act fast to address serious situations in which people or animals are in danger. In addition, readers will go behind the scenes to see how these everyday heroes train for a wide variety of emergency rescues, so that they are ready to help day or night

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Wilderness Rescue Facts -- Chapter 1: The Thirtymile Fire -- An Early 'Scare' -- Fire in the Sky -- Washington Remembers -- Forest Service Fall-Out -- Smokey's Message Not Just for Kids -- Chapter 2: Redwood Forest Rescue -- Dropping into a "Sea" of Trees -- Timber! -- The Dangers of Logging -- Chapter 3: Text Messaging Saves Snowmobilers -- Snowmobile Capital of Colorado! -- Dangers at Night -- Hi-Tech Response -- Snowmobile Safety -- Chapter 4: Dog a Hero on Mount Hood -- The Weather Factor -- No Place Like Home! -- Search and Rescue Dogs -- Chapter 5: Sick Man Saved by Rescuers in ATVs and on a Mule -- Mountain Shelter -- A Team Effort -- Good News! -- Search and Rescue Vehicles -- Words to Survive By -- More Books You'll Like -- Find Out More -- Index -- More Books from Enslow

In December 2014, Kollin Bailey was running in a park near his home when he fell ten feet down a manhole. The six-year-old boy was trapped, and nobody could hear his screams for help. When he didn't return home, his parents called the police. Within minutes, the K-9 cops were on the scene. Sergeant Shane Matheson let his partner, a bloodhound named Copper, sniff items owned by Kollin. The dog quickly learned the boy's scent and went to work searching- with his nose. Copper eventually led police officers to the manhole in the park where Kollin was found! Dramatic, true stories will keep readers turning the pages as they learn about how these skilled police responders work with their canine partners to address serious situations in which people or animals are in danger. In addition, readers will go behind the scenes to see how these everyday heroes, and their dogs, are trained for a wide variety of emergency rescues, so that they are ready to help day or night

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to access to certain facilities by search and rescue dogs and their handlers; providing a criminal penalty.

Long-distance dog transfer programs are a topic of burgeoning interest in the animal welfare community, but little research has focused on such programs. This exploratory study, which surveyed 193 individuals associated with animal shelter and rescue organizations in the United States, evaluated factors that impacted organizations' decisions to transfer in dogs over long distances (>100 miles) and assessed what criteria were commonly valued by destination organizations. Specifically, we examined the following aspects of long-distance transfer programs: (1) logistics of long-distance dog transfers; (2) factors impacting dog selection; (3) medical requirements; (4) partnerships formed between source and destination organizations; and (5) perceptions of long-distance dog transfer programs by individuals affiliated with the destination organizations. This study revealed that many logistical considerations factor into transfer decisions and the formation of healthy partnerships between source and destination organizations. Participants indicated their organization's willingness to receive dogs of various sizes, coat colors and ages, but organizations often had restrictions regarding the breeds they would accept. Study findings indicate some organizations have strict quarantine policies and pre-transfer medical requirements, while others have no such requirements.

Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Dedication -- Acknowledgements -- Consultants -- Contributors -- Introduction -- Part 1: Canine Law Enforcement -- Policing and Police Dogs: A History -- Policing in ancient times -- Early dog days in Europe and London -- The 19th century -- The 20th century -- North American dogs at work -- Dog Breeds Used for Law Enforcement -- Airedale terriers -- Belgian shepherd (Malinois) -- Bloodhounds -- Border collies -- Boxers -- Doberman pinschers -- German shepherd -- Labradors -- Rottweilers -- Spaniels -- Selecting Dog Handlers and Dogs -- Handler selection -- Police dog selection -- Temperament -- Physical characteristics -- Specialist dog selection -- Basic Training -- The learning process -- Assessments -- Specialist Roles for Dogs in Law Enforcement -- Police dogs -- Tracker dogs -- Riot control dogs -- Specialist explosives detection dogs -- Specialist narcotic detection dogs -- Search and rescue dogs -- Human remains detection dogs -- Advanced Training -- Tactical operations -- Canine First Aid -- Transportation -- The maritime environment -- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) -- Protecting the Borders -- Border protection -- US Border Protection -- German Border Police -- Finland's Border Guards -- Federal Border Guard Service of Russia -- Ukraine Border Guards -- Belarus Border Guard -- The Canada Border Services -- The Future of Police Dogs -- Part 2: An A-Z of Police Canine Units around the World -- Australia -- The Australian Federal Police -- Tasmania -- Northern Territory -- Queensland -- NSW Police -- WA Police Dog Squad -- Victoria -- South Australia -- Belgium -- Canada -- Toronto Police Dog Services -- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) -- The Edmonton Police -- Chile -- China -- Columbia -- Czech Republic -- Denmark -- Estonia -- Finland -- France -- Germany -- Greece.

Dogs perform a variety of integral roles in our society, engaging in work ranging from assistance (e.g., service dogs, guide dogs) and therapy to detection (e.g., search-and-rescue dogs, explosive detection dogs) and protection (e.g., military and law enforcement dogs). However, success in these roles, which requires dogs to meet challenging behavioral criteria and to undergo extensive training, is far from guaranteed. Therefore, enhancing the selection process is critical for the effectiveness and efficiency of working dog programs and has the potential to optimize how resources are invested in these programs, increase the number of available working dogs, and improve working dog welfare. In this paper, we review two main approaches for achieving this goal: (1) developing selection tests and criteria that can efficiently and effectively identify ideal candidates from the overall pool of candidate dogs, and (2) developing approaches to enhance performance, both at the individual and population level, via improvements in rearing, training, and breeding. We summarize key findings from the empirical literature regarding best practices for assessing, selecting, and improving working dogs, and conclude with future steps and recommendations for working dog organizations, breeders, trainers, and researchers.