Canine lifeguards rush to aid Italy's struggling swimmers

Scores of specially trained dogs have been deployed as lifeguards on Italy's busiest beaches this summer.

The dogs, mostly of the Newfoundland or Labrador breeds, are trained to jump out of helicopters and boats and swim to the rescue of struggling swimmers.



They are credited with having saved several lives by taking lifebuoys to swimmers and towing them to safety.

Tales of the Newfoundland's legendary aquatic ability prompted Italian officials to train them as lifeguards.



"We always knew that these dogs could be used to fish, rescue people," said Ferrucio Pilenga, president of the Italian Dog Rescue School.

"We began to try what these people did," he says. "The dogs helped us modify and improve our methods. It was a great satisfaction to see that these myths were true," he says.

The dogs are trained at 10 schools around Italy.