Researchers aim to improve accuracy of dogs sniffing out human remains

Researchers from the University of Leicester are working to improve the accuracy of police dogs who search for human remains. The research is aimed at the chemical aspects of decomposition and the volatile organic compounds given off when matter decomposes. Researchers hope to establish which chemicals dogs detect and then use those to train police dogs so that they can better locate human remains.

UK Kennel Club names best dog photography of 2016

The UK Kennel Club hosts an annual best dog photographer competition and recently released the winners from 2016. Photography falls into 10 categories including dogs at work, dog portrait, puppies, oldies, and young pup photographer. To get a look at the most recent winners and photos from past years, check out the official website.

Martha the Neapolitan Mastiff wins World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

Martha, a three-year-old, 125-pound Neapolitan Mastiff won the 29th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest on June 24. Rather than parade around on stage and show off, she flopped down and took a nap. Martha is a rescue dog, who was nearly blind due to neglect but has recovered some of her eyesight thanks to surgery. Moe, a sixteen-year-old Brussels Griffon–pug mix, came in second.

Dog’s leg saved by bone-growing technology

Eva, a two-year-old Munsterlander, was hit by a car last year and after the injury failed to heal it looked like her leg was going to be amputated. Bone-growing technology developed by the landmine charity Find a Better Way helped to save her leg. The process they developed involves a naturally occurring protein called BMP-2 mixed with bone chips to help stimulate bone growth. Eva is now on her way to full recovery.

Dogs try to sniff out Amelia Earhart’s remains

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (IGHAR) set sail for the island of Nikumaroro on June 24. They believe that this island, 1,000 miles north of Fiji, is where Amelia Earhart landed when she disappeared. The team has taken four border collies from the Institute for Canine Forensics (ICF) to see if they can sniff out Earhart’s remains. The dogs are trained to sit or lie down with their paws on either side of where the smell is strongest. The team will excavate the areas the dogs indicate and test the DNA of any remains against that of Earhart’s living relative.

Photo credit: © iStock/carenas1