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Canine lifeguards take to the beaches of Italy

June 22, 1997
Web posted at: 7:23 p.m. EDT (2323 GMT)

SARNICO, Italy (CNN) -- They're furry, they have big paws, and they just might save some lives. Dogs -- Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds, to be exact -- are the latest kind of lifeguards patrolling Italy's beaches and lakes.

dogs to the rescue

Some of the specially trained dogs jump from helicopters to rescue people caught in strong currents or adrift on the high seas.

Canine lifeguards, swimmers best friend
video icon 985K/24 sec. QuickTime movie

Human lifeguards like to work with dogs because they are powerful in the water. Also, having a dog along allows a lifeguard to perform resuscitation in the water, which would be impossible in a solo rescue.

The canine lifeguards have already proved they are man's best friend by saving 10 people this year alone.


WTN contributed to this report.

 
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