South Africa: George Resident’s champion ‘Superdogs’ searching for survivors of building collapse

Visiting the site of the collapsed building in George on Wednesday, Gift of the Givers founder Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman sniffer dogs as a ‘key element’ in search and rescue efforts. Community members have provided vital supplies and support to human and K9 personnel on the scene.

Members of the George community have been quick to provide support and supplies to those involved in rescue efforts at the site of the collapsed building on Victoria Street, including the dogs from K9 units that have been vital in locating workers who are trapped in the rubble.

Mariann Wilson, a volunteer with the K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa, arrived in George on Monday at 20.00 with his K9 partner, Echo. Half an hour later, the pair searched for victims amid the destruction. Wilson said the support from the local community had been “fantastic”.

“We’ve had donations of food, treats, dog beds. We just got some paddling pools that aren’t too hot. It’s very important that when we’re away from the rubble we clean the dogs’ feet so they put on weight. don’t lie down down and lick their paws, because then it all goes into their system … We are very grateful for all the help from the community in George, she told the Daily Maverick on Wednesday afternoon.

Wilson is one of two K9 handlers from the K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa working at the site. The other is James Smart with his dog, Chaos….