PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 teams are now back home after aiding in the search for those lost during the catastrophic Texas floods.
According to CCSO, their K9 teams – made up of volunteer handlers Scott Lee and Becky Irving and their dogs, Jett and Ruger – were deployed along with 20 other teams from across the country at the request of Texas state officials.
They were the only teams from Oregon who aided in the disaster recovery. Unlike traditional police K9s, Ruger and Jett are trained for specialized settings, giving them an advantage in the rough terrain ravaged by the flooding.
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“Our dogs are specially trained for wilderness settings, so it was ideal for down there for what they were asking us to do,” Lee told KOIN 6 News.
The floods originally began just before daybreak on July 4, when destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet on the Guadalupe River, washing away homes and vehicles. The waters laid waste to the Hill Country regionand an all-girls Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic, lost atleast 27 campers and counselors.
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Officials estimate the floods have killed over 135 people and three remain missing…