26 Oct 2012

HAITI / RESCUE DOGS

Bolivian peacekeepers have started to train Haitian street dogs as search and rescue animals in case of another disaster like the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010. MINUSTAH / FILE

Posted at: October 26, 2012 12:08 am

Duration: 03:48

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: HAITI / RESCUE DOGS
TRT: 3.48
SOURCE: MINUSTAH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SPANISH / NATS

DATELINE: 17 OCTOBER 2012, PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, Bolivian peacekeepers walking with dogs in military base
2. Med shot, Bolivian and UN flags
3. Wide shot, Bolivian peacekeepers and dogs standing in line
4. Close up, dog barking
5. Close up, Bolivian peacekeeper watching his dog
6. Wide shot, Bolivian peacekeeper standing and petting his dog
7. Med shot, peacekeepers and dogs walking around kennel
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lieutenant Milton Montecinos, Bolivian Peacekeeper:
"The commander of my unit tasked me to take care of the dogs. I am in charge of them. As we are dealing with security at the base, we had thought of working with animals. That's why we decided to use these dogs as guards too. Raising the puppies mainly consists in feeding them properly with milk, bread and everything you need for a dog."
9. Med shot, dog walking with peacekeeper and barking
10. Wide shot, peacekeepers walking with dogs
11. Med shot, peacekeeper standing
12. Med shot, peacekeeper holding and petting dog walking on a pile of gravels
13. Pan left, peacekeeper walking on top of gravels
14. Med shot, group of peacekeepers and dogs walking on gravels
15. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lieutenant Milton Montecinos, Bolivian Peacekeeper:
"They are now ripe to start their education. We have put together a special program that you can find in this folder. There are four phases: socialization, obedience, dexterity and finally search and rescue. Now we are at the second stage: obedience. The instruction is taking place every morning between 9h30 and 10h30"
16. Wide shot, peacekeepers standing with dogs in the base with UN tank in the back
17. Pen left, pictures of Bolivian commanders to Bolivian commander sitting at his desk
18. Med shot, Bolivian commander working at his desk
19. Close up, commander working
20. Close up, hand signing document
21. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lt Col Edson Ochoa, Commander of MINUSTAH Bolivian contingent:
"They really liked this idea. When they are perfectly trained, we will hand over these dogs to the Haitian authorities. And it will be a proud present from the Bolivian soldiers to this beautiful Haitian people."
22. Med shot, Bolivian peacekeeper walking with plastic cone
23. Wide shot, peacekeepers with dogs exercising on a sports field
24. Med shot, peacekeeper and dog walking around plastic cone and running back
25. Wide shot, peacekeepers running with dogs

FILE - 13, JANUARY 2010, PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI

26. Med shot, MINUSTAH HQ entrance 
27. Various shots, peacekeepers looking for survivors under rubble

STORYLINE:

The Bolivian Company of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) recently discovered some surprise guests.

Five Haitian puppies were born here four months ago. The peacekeepers decided to adopt them. They are now officially part of MINUSTAH.

Currently the dogs are being domesticated. Bottom line is playing.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lt Milton Montecinos, Bolivian Peacekeeper:
"The commander of my unit tasked me to take care of the dogs. I am in charge of them. As we are dealing with security at the base, we had thought of working with animals. That's why we decided to use these dogs as guards too. Raising the puppies mainly consists in feeding them properly with milk, bread and everything you need for a dog."

This is 'Commando Infierno'. He is ready for the training, and already shows good skills.

As a rescue dog, he will have to work on uneven ground like this.

That's why Commando is learning how to get used to walking on slippery gravel.

Once he becomes self confident, he will have to search alone for people in need of assistance and then show his master where to find them.

But for this, he still needs two more years of training.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lieutenant Milton Montecinos, Bolivian Peacekeeper:
"They are now ripe to start their education. We have put together a special program that you can find in this folder. There are four phases: socialization, obedience, dexterity and finally search and rescue. Now we are at the second stage: obedience. The instruction is taking place every morning between 9h30 and 10h30."

When the Bolivian contingent found the puppies on their base, they wanted to make good use of them: instead of sending them back to the street, they would be able to serve their country. MINUSTAH military chiefs were officially informed of this new canine brigade.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lt Col Edson Ochoa, commander of MINUSTAH Bolivian contingent:
"They really liked this idea. When they are perfectly trained, we will hand over these dogs to the Haitian authorities. And it will be a proud present from the Bolivian soldiers to this beautiful Haitian people."

After Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake, rescue teams had to bring in dogs from abroad to search for survivors. If another disaster should strike Haiti, 'Comando infierno' and his brothers will be there to help.