On August 2, 2019, three family members were killed and two injured last Friday afternoon when a cliff collapsed on a busy beach in Encinitas, CA, just north of San Diego. Brent Brainard & Decker and Joe Zakar & Dora (both with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department) responded to search for anyone who may have been trapped beneath the sand and debris. Brent and Decker had deployed to a similar collapse in San Diego three years ago but this response marked Joe and Dora’s very first deployment. Two injured citizens were pulled from the debris by beach lifeguards before first responders arrived, and four people total were rescued but two later passed away at the hospital. The search was called off after a few hours due to fears of another collapse.
"This was our first deployment and I couldn't be a prouder dog partner. Dora did an amazing job today -- she was firing off on all cylinders. It was a great feeling to see that all our training has paid off. Being able to read my dog and knowing her behaviors and signals gave me the confidence that she was done searching.”
- Joe Zakar, handler of Dora
