Dog lifeguards to the rescue

Nation & World News

Dog lifeguards assist humans on Italy's beaches.

Each summer Italy deploys hundreds of dog lifeguards as millions flock to the countries beaches. Here, Mas the dog, jumps from a helicopter ahead of his lifeguard and Italian School of Canine Lifeguards founder Ferruccio Pilenga, during a test in 2008.

'Lifedogs' wear a harness or tow a buoy that victims can grab, or a raft they can sit on to be towed back to shore.

The canine helpers are credited with saving several lives. A terranova dog jumps from a lifeguard boat during training in 2007.

There are currently 300 dogs are fully trained for duty, Mas the dog, and his lifeguard and school founder Ferruccio Pilenga, perform a rescue during a training exercise in 2007.

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Each summer Italy deploys hundreds of dog lifeguards as millions flock to the countries beaches. Here, Mas the dog, jumps from a helicopter ahead of his lifeguard and Italian School of Canine Lifeguards founder Ferruccio Pilenga, during a test in 2008.

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