A trapped person's best friend

HAYDEN - If a building collapses and people are trapped, Pete will come to the rescue.

Pete, a two-and-a-half-year-old purebred black labrador, is the newest member of the Idaho Disaster Dogs K-9 Team after completing his certification test in Seattle.

"He's a lot quicker at searches than humans because of his scenting ability, agility and ability to traverse a pile," said Capt. Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire Department and Pete's handler. "He's very good at his job."

If called upon, Pete, who lives with Riley, would remain barking after he finds a victim until rescuers arrive. He's available to respond to collapse disasters throughout the state.

Pete is the fifth dog to join the K-9 team, which consists of other handlers and K-9s in Kootenai County and is unique to Idaho. The team, which has existed about four years, is now complete with Pete.

Pete was donated by the Phoenix Fire Department about two years ago, but it takes about that long to be certified, Riley said.

Pete was certified on Sept. 11, which Riley called a "bittersweet" day due to it also being the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The collapsed buildings in New York and the fact that Pete responds to such disasters also added to the irony of the day.

"Sept. 11 is one of the reasons I became interested in providing this service and, coincidentally, nine years later to the day, Pete was certified," Riley said. "It (the certification) was a very proud moment in my career."

Riley said there haven't been any local disasters in recent memory in which Pete would be called upon, but having his availability is critical.

"I'd prefer to stay as highly trained as we can and never have the service needed," he said.

The disaster K-9 team program is completely funded by donations and the handlers.

Pete will test for his national certification on Oct. 10 in Seattle.