George
German shepherd dog/Rottweiler cross
September 9, 2011 – November 23, 2023
Trained targets: Truffle (Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum), Giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas), Avian fatalities (generalized). Bat fatalities (generalized). Western pond turtle nests (Actinemys marmorata)
George, known to his fans as BallGeorge, was the foundation dog and work horse of the SCENTdog team. He was our most experienced search dog with several projects under his collar. His work on California wind farms where he assisted biologists with bird and bat fatality monitoring surveys. His expansive data collection over the years has helped scientists design and implement protections and mitigation strategies for migrating birds and bats impacted by renewable energy sites. During his career, George deployed on several renewable energy sites throughout the state of California. Notably, he was the first dog trained and deployed to locate the cryptic nests of endemic western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) and the elusive giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas). His worked spanned the state from Napa to Paso Robles to Yosemite National Park. George spent some of his later years time hunting down fragrant truffles in the orchards and forests of California and spending time with Lauralea, his lifelong partner and best friend. His sudden loss has been deep and far-reaching.
