A well-known South Coast search dog, who spent days searching for survivors of the deadly 2018 Montecito debris flow, has died.
Riley was a part of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, teamed up with Captain Eric Gray. After the dog and his handler underwent intensive training, Riley joined the Department in 2010.
In 2011, the team was deployed to Japan to look for survivors of that nation’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. In 2015, the duo was sent to Nepal after that country suffered a catastrophic earthquake. And, in 2017 they headed to Puerto Rico to help with Hurricane Maria rescue efforts.
The pair played a big role in search and rescue efforts in Montecito following the 2018 debris flow. Riley was retired about two years ago and spent the last years of his life living with Gray and his family.
