Rescue workers used sniffer dogs on Friday to search the rubble for survivors of an earthquake that hit central Italy on Wednesday.
Klaus the Labrador retriever was part of a rescue team working in the Italian town of Accumoli on Friday, sniffing piles of rubble and indicating to his handler Carlos Apollo if there was any sign of life.
Now seven years old, he has been working with rescue teams since he was a puppy, helping find people trapped under collapsed buildings.
Rescue dogs are useful in the first days after earthquakes as they can sense the presence of a person and access areas where heavy machinery cannot be used.
READ MORE: Why does Italy get earthquakes?
Dozens of dogs are reportedly involved in search for victims in different towns and hamlets hit by the quake in Italy.
The magnitude 6.2 quake struck at 3:36 a.m. on Wednesday and was felt across a broad swath of central Italy, including Rome, where residents felt a long swaying followed by aftershocks.
The government of Italy has declared tomorrow a day of national mourning in the wake of this week’s devastating earthquake.
At least 281 people have been killed, including a Canadian.
Strong aftershocks have been rattling central Italy and hopes are dimming that rescue workers will be able to find any more survivors.
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