ISLAMABAD: A trained rescue dog belonging to the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team died at the H-11 dog centre on Thursday.

According to the dog’s handlers, the animal had been ill for the last few days and could not survive. The USAR dogs are used in search and rescue work, particularly to retrieve people trapped under debris. The dog, known as Sweety, had participated in several rescue operations.

Sweety was among the 17 trained labrador retrievers obtained from the Army Dog Centre in 2009.

When contacted, USAR Deputy Commander Tariq Masood confirmed that the dog died on Thursday. He said the animal had not been eating and was being treated by veterinary doctors.

“Apparently, she died of a liver disease, but age factor could also not be ruled out,” he said.

The rescue dogs are looked after and trained by trainers from the army who are on deputation in the MCI to run its dog centre in H-11. According to sources, foreign trainers, including Swedish, were also involved in the animals’ training.

They said out of 17 dogs, seven died one after another over the years. At present, USAR team is left with only 10 dogs.

After the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing, the National Disaster Management Authority helped the Capital Development Authority (CDA) set up its first emergency wing, the Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate. The USAR falls under the emergency directorate.

After the establishment of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), the USAR team, fire brigade, fire prevention and audit wings and other directorates were devolved to the MCI. The USAR deputy commander said the dogs took part in major emergency operations during Gayari sector avalanche, Attabad Lake landsliding and Peshawar Meena Bazaar bombing.

A senior MCI officer said he was told that Sweety died of illness but he would check all aspects, including negligence.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2019