ASF carcass search: questions and answers
Compilation of the most important questions from participants in the cadaver search. If a topic is not covered, please ask the relevant question asp@tcrh.de .
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Where do you get ongoing information?
- On asp.tcrh.de Information is continually published. Application/registration documents, job advertisements and information on information events can also be found here
- Frequently asked questions and answers are regularly added to this page.
- If you have additional questions about ASP, please contact the TCRH asp@tcrh.de available, the postal address and telephone numbers are at Contact a DAK Bungalow.
- Further information can be found under “Information" and "Publications" to find
Where does the training take place?
The central training takes place in Mosbach (Baden-Württemberg) at the TCRH Training Center Rescue and Help. Online training continues to take place. Information about the TCRH can be found under “Training Continuing Education Continuing Education Training" to find.
Where is the accommodation during the training?
The TCRH offers overnight accommodation in rooms as well as parking spaces for mobile homes and caravans. Information on this can be found under “accommodation" to find.
Are there any costs incurred as part of the training for the dog handler?
Costs such as travel kilometers for arrival and departure, accommodation, meals and training materials are covered by the TCRH through commission from the Ministry of Rural Areas, Food and Consumer Protection.
The TCRH provides participants with a billing form for billing mileage allowances. Payment is made exclusively by bank transfer.
Can teams that have been screened or tested elsewhere take part in a TCRH exam/certification without completing the courses/training?
Examination certificates/certifications are only awarded for humans and dogs after completion of all courses, training and performance assessments.
Are you insured as part of your training and assignments?
Basically, there are different types of insurance. The TCRH insures training and missions independently of existing private and statutory insurance. In addition, there is insurance from the state accident insurance fund for TCRH operations if the operation is commissioned to the TCRH by an animal disease control authority and the TCRH brings these emergency services into action. Please note that in the event of damage, insurance benefits from different insurance companies for the same insurance area may have to be offset against each other.
Is an emergency worker released by the employer for training and/or assignments?
Each employer decides on this themselves at the employee's request. The TCRH will certify participation in training and/or assignments. There is no entitlement to compensation for wages.
Are there regular information events for interested dog handlers and other emergency services?
Yes. This will be made public. Questions/answers from such events are reproduced here.
What vaccination protection do the dogs need for training and/or operations?
The prerequisite is a 5-fold vaccination.
How long does the project last?
Several years.
DOG TRAINING
Where can I find registration documents for the courses?
Under https://asp.tcrh.de The tender documents are available for download. Please fill out and send asp@tcrh.de Send by email or the postal address at Contact use.
How long does the sighting last?
Inspecting a team to decide on admission to training takes half a day. Expenses for mileage, accommodation and meals will be reimbursed.
What is the duration of the training?
The training of humans and dogs is carried out either over several weekends or in a block over an entire calendar week. There are also online seminars (webinars, digital learning platforms and online meetings). The dog handlers also receive training materials on loan in order to further prepare for various training components.
Will there only be one viewing event before the actual training dates?
There are viewing events at regular intervals. These are advertised separately.
Are certain dog breeds excluded?
No.
Are hunting dogs/dogs used for hunting purposes excluded?
No.
Do the dogs have to have VDH papers?
No.
Does a dog have to have hunting training, a hunting test or other previous training?
No.
Is there any provision for familiarization with the wild boar cage before or during the education/training?
Familiarization with wild boar cages is not part of the ASP training in Baden-Württemberg. Therefore, there are currently no activities planned in the wild boar enclosures in Germany as part of the basic training. If ASP participants visit these activities, these activities are not insured by the TCRH, neither for arrival and departure nor for actual use. There are currently no reimbursements for this by the TCRH.
We currently have no information that would make it advisable to generally use wild boar gates for all ASF cadaver test dogs in the Baden-Württemberg program. In particular, this must be seen in the context of our testing and deployment system (search on a leash, search without a leash, etc.) as well as the search tactics practiced by the TCRH (only during the day, with the wind, always with space between the individual search areas).
All of the associated questions - including very complex ones - were discussed intensively from a cynological and hunting perspective between the Hunting Dog Association (JGHV) e.V. and the BRH Federal Association of Rescue Dogs e.V. Ultimately, the decision was not to include the visit to the wild boar gate as a general requirement for participation in the training program or as a normal component in the basic training for ASP cadaver test dogs in Baden-Württemberg.
The ASP cadaver test team program in Baden-Württemberg, with its qualified trainers and operations managers, also takes a very individual approach to the individual human-dog team. This occurs during training, exams, operational reviews, exercises and operations. If these activities require support for an individual team that goes beyond basic training and normal activities and has a chance of success, this will be done. General measures that affect all participants in the program as part of these general activities are therefore only implemented after in-depth analysis, evaluation and testing. This also applies to the topic of “wild boar gates”.
To avoid giving the wrong impression: This approach does not question the necessity of wild boar gates or the professionalism of their operators! Wild boar gates are authorized for both hunting and rescue dog use. However, in a different context that does not fit the Baden-Württemberg ASP program.
If valid information or data becomes available to us in the future, we reserve the right to make fundamental conceptual changes to our training and deployment program in consultation with the professional associations. This also applies to the usability of wild boar gates.
Are dogs suitable as cadaver search dogs regardless of their breed or papers?
The officially ordered fight against an animal disease differs in many ways from classic hunting. The search for wild boar carcasses that have died of African swine fever (ASF) is part of animal disease control. The relevant application case will be determined by the authorities.
The tasks of an ASP cadaver test dog are not comparable to the classic tasks of a hunting dog. Due to its genetic disposition and training, the hunting dog must be suitable and able to hunt game, bring about the encounter between game and hunter, but also search for sick and/or killed game and bring the hunter into possession of the game. The willingness to track, hunt loudly and be keen on game are basic requirements for the hunting dogs used to ensure that hunting is carried out in accordance with animal welfare. ASP cadaver detection dogs do not have to meet these requirements either genetically or as part of their training. They have important, but completely differently defined areas of responsibility that are no less demanding and important.
For the ASF cadaver tests, it is therefore primarily irrelevant which breed of dog is used and whether the dog used has papers or not. All breeds are permitted for the ASF cadaver trials and it is not necessary for a dog to have papers. The dogs are checked by experts and must be healthy and trainable using positive reinforcement. As part of the training and certifications, a decision is made as to whether these dogs will roam freely or on a leash. In the event of an emergency, the teams are steered by an experienced operational team.
Is there a minimum or maximum age for dogs?
No. The suitability of dogs and humans is determined through a screening event before the training begins.
Can a dog take part in missions that can be distracted by game?
Basically, a dog should not be distracted by live game when searching for carcasses. Retrieval should be guaranteed. If this cannot be guaranteed as part of the training or education, the dog can be used as a cadaver search dog on a tow line.
Are you looking for someone free or on a towline?
The aim is for a free search, but there is also the possibility of a dragline search. The screening and training events are used to determine which search tactics a team is suitable for.
What type of notification when found is possible or desired?
The dog can use different display types. It is desirable to keep a distance from the carcass.
How does an exam work? Are there examination regulations?
The current ASP-Cadatest examination regulations of the TCRH are here published.
HUMAN EDUCATION
Does human training only take place in face-to-face sessions?
No, it is a mix of digital training via webinars, video conferences and digital learning platforms as well as face-to-face appointments.
What is a deployment review?
As soon as the human and dog training, including tests, have been completed, a check of operational capability is carried out in a realistic operational scenario. Specifically: This is where the interaction between the emergency services of a search team (consisting of dog handlers, dogs, search team helpers) is checked with each other and in conjunction with the operations manager and, if necessary, section leaders.
CALLS
How is the cadaver search broken down and what does the TCRH cover?
In principle, a distinction is made between the phases of searching for fallen game, rescue and decontamination depending on the operation. The TCRH trains cadaver search teams and makes them available for operations.
How is a cadaver search team composed?
A search team should consist of a dog handler with a dog, a search party helper (GPS coordination, radio, documentation) and a local hunting companion.
How do the teams work together?
The teams work within the management structure of a blue light organization that reports to an operational management team.
Are the carcass search teams deployed throughout Baden-Württemberg?
Yes.
Do dogs have to wear protective vests?
Protective vests will be provided.
How is occupational safety guaranteed?
The training, the mission-related training as well as the actual missions are implemented on the basis of risk analyzes with measures based on them.
How is decontamination carried out?
People and dogs must shower and change clothes when leaving the restriction zone. Shower facilities are provided on site for this purpose. A soap solution is used that is harmless to humans and dogs.
Can a carcass search team be exempt from dog tax?
Dog taxes are local taxes. The TCRH will provide each response team with a certificate annually. The dog owner can then apply for an exemption from the dog tax, and the respective municipality will then decide.
Are cost reimbursements and expense allowances paid to the emergency services?
Accommodation and food are provided for the emergency services. A mileage allowance is paid for your own vehicles. A flat rate fee is paid for hours worked. Emergency equipment will be provided. There is no provision for reimbursement of wages or company wages.
INFORMATION FOR ANIMAL DISEASE CONTROL
Can a county request cadaver search teams from TCRH?
Yes. The “Search” area can be mapped by the TCRH at the request of a district. For this purpose, search teams for biological and technical location, expert advisors, operations leaders and other auxiliary staff are made available.
What TCRH services does the “Search” area include?
The specialist advisor coordinates the search measures with the leading animal disease control authority on site at an early stage and is available to the operational team in the following period of time. Furthermore, he carries out a safety assessment under the instructions of the leading animal disease control authority in consultation with local/regional forestry managers and those authorized to hunt and recommends appropriate measures to the leading animal disease control authority. He then coordinates the measures determined with the “Search” operational section leaders.
All measures are logged, georeferenced and made available to the animal disease control authority in the form of interim, daily and collective reports.
All search measures are carried out according to the principles of blue light organizations.
All emergency services are trained, tested and trained in first aid and the tactics relevant to cadaver attempts. In addition, technical tracking is carried out using remote pilots who specialize in (wild animal) tracking and are supported by an image evaluation system.
Fence construction and recovery are not covered by the TCRH.
Can a district also have its own search teams?
In principle, a district or the animal disease control authorities are free to use their own resources to search for carcasses.
However, if the TCRH also supervises search sections, these cannot be placed under the uniform operational command and responsibility of the TCRH. The district or the responsible animal disease control authority must provide its own resources for the administration of these emergency services and must also assume liability separately.
How can a district or an animal disease control authority optimally prepare for an ASF incident? What preparatory measures can be carried out specifically for the search?
In principle, the MLR or the ASP competence team of the game research center of the Baden-Württemberg Agricultural Center provides basic as well as practice-oriented information and process recommendations with the recommendations for action I + II. In addition, each district can also benefit from on-site advice from the ASP competence team. The ASP competence team also regularly offers online information events.
To prepare for the search itself, the TRCH recommends preparing the following information:
- Area maps in which the hunting leases are marked, including an allocation of those authorized to hunt with contact details (mobile number, private telephone, business telephone, email). If possible, also include people with an inspection permit.
- Contact details of the respective district hunter master and the head of the hunting ring with contact details (mobile number, private telephone, business telephone, email
- List of all veterinary practices in the district and neighboring districts including contact details and opening times
- List of all hotels, guesthouses and private accommodations that allow overnight guests with dogs including contact details
- Maps in which particular danger points are marked (areas contaminated with ammunition, mines, quarries, etc.)
In general, we recommend regular communication between the veterinary offices and those authorized to hunt. In the event of an emergency, the TCRH recommends and, if necessary, organizes an information event for those authorized to hunt directly on site with the participation of representatives of the authorities responsible for combating animal diseases.
Is an outbreak of ASF in a pig farm an emergency situation that also requires a search in the wild boar population?
Yes.
How is the TCRH commissioned?
Advance information about the probable or already established occurrence of an epidemic can be provided verbally. The actual commission is made in writing, at least by email, from an authority to ensure that it is a sovereign mandate.
How do the TCRH emergency services work?
The operational management, processing and documentation correspond to the management processes and quality features as they are also implemented within authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS).
Why do many teams have to be dedicated to searches?
When an outbreak begins, it must be quickly clarified how large the restriction zones are. What is important here is quick clarification in order to obtain information as a basis for decision-making for further necessary measures. In later regular searches, search measures must be able to be carried out over several years.