The Israel Dog Unit, a nonprofit specializing in working dogs, has launched an emergency deployment to support the search and rescue of missing persons amid the destruction caused by Iranian missile strikes in Israeli cities.
Operating under emergency protocols, the IDU has been training additional search and rescue dogs specifically for locating individuals trapped under rubble. A special training exercise was recently conducted at a simulated disaster site, with the goal of immediately expanding the supply of available working dogs.
In tandem with these preparations, IDU handlers and dogs are working at the scene of the missile strikes, particularly in central Israel, where they are assisting the IDF in locating missing persons. The dogs are trained and equipped to detect signs of life under collapsed buildings and other debris and lead rescuers to victims.
“In light of the wartime situation across Israel, the IDU is raising its alert level and standing ready with specialized dogs trained to detect missing persons beneath rubble, should the need arise,” the unit's spokesperson said.
With the official launch of Operation Rising Lion and the declaration of a national emergency, the IDU has been working alongside all other emergency services in Israel to ensure that all victims of the Iranian attacks are located and extracted for either medical treatment or casualty identification.