By Jiao Xiaoyang, Huang Zhiling and Zhu Zhe (Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-19 09:08

"Every dog we brought has performed well," said Tang Hu, head of a fire brigade from Qingdao, Shandong province. His dogs have helped find dozens trapped in debris in Dujiangyan, including a pregnant woman and her mother under a collapsed 5-story building.

A rescuer and a sniffer dog search through the debris at the quake-hit site in Hanwang Town of Sichuan Province May 19, 2008. More than 100 sniffer dogs are working day and night, searching for signs of lingering life in the quake-hit areas. [Xinhua]

The dogs have become heroes in the city. Many residents are refusing to clear debris unless a dog has confirmed there is nobody left underneath. Some families have cut the rations of their pet dogs to supply the professionals.

The canine efforts are certainly being recognized and appreciated.

The Ministry of Public Security ordered 100 pairs of special sheaths to be sent to Sichuan to protect the dogs from further injuries.

China Eastern Airlines ignored rules for two dogs from Jiangsu: The rescue team did not carry cages for two dogs which should go into the freight cabin; instead, they traveled the same way passengers do.

The dogs mainly came from three top bases: The Beijing Military Command, the China Seismological Bureau and the fire department in the northeastern city of Shenyang apart from fire departments around the country.

There was in international flavor over the weekend as dogs from Japan, Russia, Singapore and South Korea landed together with their handlers and specialist equipment.

Private organizations, too, are keen to contribute to the rescue mission.

The Hangzhou Fire-fighting Sniffer Dogs Association - arguably the only such private society in the country - sent a German shepherd and a golden retriever just hours after the quake.

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