Experts examine rescue dogs use

Gavin Roberts and Gelert train to find human remains

A Conwy-based dog rescue team has organised its first conference to bring together experts in the field.

The three-day Global Rescue Services conference aims to raise awareness of the uses now being made of search dogs.

Chairman Gavin Roberts said it was important to share information because of the increasingly specialist searches now being undertaken.

The Global Rescue Services charity is better known for jetting off to assist in areas hit by earthquakes.

"We decided to organise this conference to let people know what is happening and the ways dogs are now being used," said Mr Roberts.

"Increasingly dogs are used in more specialist areas such as in water rescue and in the search for human remains.

Voluntary

"By getting various experts in their field together we are raising the awareness of what the different teams can offer," he added.

Some 45 delegates are expected to attend the conference, from Friday to Sunday, at locations on Anglesey and at Capel Curig in Snowdonia.

Information will be shared via lectures and also with live demonstrations with some of the dogs.

Speakers will cover everything from explosives and drug detection work to forensic crime scene investigation and archaeology.

There will also be sessions about the effects on the handlers of being involved in often tragic situations.

All the teams are made up of volunteers and they depend on donations and fund-raising to keep them going.