Search and Rescue

The San Diego Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue K-9 Unit has been in existence for over 30 years. Since then, our dogs have participated in numerous searches.

Sheriff's SAR dogs are qualified through the San Diego Sheriff's Canine Standards, which is mirrored after the State of California's Mutual Aid Guidelines. The Standards approved by the Sheriff's Department meet or exceed the California State Mutual Aid Guidelines. Teams are available 24 hours a day to respond to local, state and federal law enforcement as well as other public service agency requests. As a result, our San Diego Sheriff's Department SAR Canine Teams can be dispatched throughout California and beyond.

WHEN CAN SEARCH DOGS BE HELPFUL?

An overdue hiker in a wilderness area
An Alzheimer's patient who has walked away
A missing child
A drowning victim in a lake
An area where there may be human remains buried
A victim buried in a landslide or avalanche
A missing person where suicide is suspected
Persons suspected of being in a collapsed structure
To help determine if an article was worn by a subject
To help determine if a subject was in an area
To locate human remains after a fire

WHAT SEARCH DOG TEAMS ARE ABLE TO DO

All SAR dog handlers initally train a dog in one of two disciplines - trailing or area.

Trailing dogs are trained to follow the path that a missing person has taken. Similar to traditional "tracking" dogs, these dogs require a properly preserved scent guide and should not be distracted by other people in the area. These dogs usually work on long leashes. Trailing dogs most frequently work trails that are several days old. Area search dogs are trained to find any human scent in an area. These dogs work most frequently off-leash and can cover large areas. Search dogs can be helpful in a variety of situations in the wilderness, as well as, in urban settings. Many of our mission-ready dog teams are also certified for:

Water
Cadever
Avalanche
Disaster

It is estimated that a single dog team can be as effective as 20 to 30 trained human searchers in locating a missing person in a given time frame. Please remember a SAR dog is a tool and like any tool, there are limitations. Some of the factors that impact a search dog's ability to detect scent include air temperature, humidity, terrain, wind and age of scent.

HANDLER TRAINING

Dog handlers are continually updating their skills and knowledge and most participate in 50 to 100 hours or more of training and missions per month. Dog handlers must have all of the training required of other SAR members such as first aid, navigation, survival and man-tracking, plus special skills required to be a dog handlers.

DOG TRAINING

Search dogs are well-socialized animals and represent a wide variety of breeds from golden retrievers to bloodhounds and German shepherds. They are tested extensively for temperament and must be able to work independently and for long durations. Search dogs are exposed to a wide variety of conditions and are expected to function in almost any environment they are placed in. Minimum dog training requirements include socialization, obedience, helicopter orientation, and search work. As a team, the dog and handler must pass a series of search tests to become mission-ready. On average, it takes two years for a handler and dog to become mission-ready. Teams must participate in on-going training throughout the year, as well as, annual re-certification.

WHERE OUR DOGS HAVE BEEN

Our SAR dogs have traveled to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, as well as Hawaii, Mexico, and the Northridge earthquake. They have also responded to searches for almost every major law enforcement agency in Southern California as well as the FBI and NCIS.

HOW TO REQUEST SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS

If you think a search dog may be helpful to you, please contact the on-duty SAR Coordinator through the Sheriff's Communications Center at 858-565-5200. You may also contact the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Coordinator directly during business hours at 619-956-4990. The Coordinator can discuss your situation with you and make recommendations regarding the use of search dogs or other SAR resources.

Search dogs are just one resource available to you through Search and Rescue. Many other resources are available to assist you.