USAR Search Dogs

Hampshire also has three dog handlers and dogs as part of the overall Hampshire USAR team.

Our three handlers, all serving fire-fighters, have selected their dogs from puppies and then trained them over a two year period to be able to detect the scent of live casualties entombed under rubble. This is a highly specialist skill which requires constant training. But a good search dog team can detect casualties even when our expensive high tech electronic devices cannot. Almost as importantly they can quickly confirm that no casualties are trapped in certain areas.

Hampshire’s handlers and dogs are:

Robin Furniss and Byron

Paul Baker and Barnie (photo) Barnie's Kennel

Mick Barrett and Digga (photo)

The dogs and their handlers form an integral part of the USAR team and are also available for overseas deployment.