LIFESAVER DOGS DOING THEIR THING IN SPAIN

The Levante beach near Malaga has seen its fair share of lifesavers over the years. It’s not new. But, now a team of trained dogs have been added to the lifesaving team.

Miguel Sanchez, one of the dog instructors forming part of this project, said that dogs have more of an instinct towards the ocean than humans.

“They can detect currents in the sea which humans can’t.

Their endurance and strength are more than most humans, making them ideal for lifesaving duties.

The dogs, made up of mostly Newfoundland and Labrador breeds, are kitted with special life vests.

Majorca Daily reports that Newfoundlands can swim for three nautical miles (about six kilometres) and tow life rafts weighing up to three metric tons or carrying six people. Labradors can drag 2.4 tons and use their acute sense of smell to locate missing people.

The idea to add dogs to the lifesaving team was first done in Italy where dogs are known for saving lives on beaches.

Recently, three Italian lifesaving dogs made the headlines when they managed to save the lives of 14 swimmers. Strong winds kept pushing the swimmers in the opposite direction of where they wanted to swim and the three dogs managed to bring them all safely back to shore.

Image credit: Euro Weekly News