Search and rescue K-9 teams from LA County Fire honored for their work in Venezuela recovery
Search and rescue K-9s from the Los Angeles County Fire Department are being honored for their tireless work on the ground in Venezuela.
The K-9s and handlers went through collapsed structures and sifted through debris, searching for survivors.
Video from Venezuela shows the K-9s and members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, also known as USA-2, being honored with medals for their work in the recovery efforts.
"Recognition like this reminds us that disaster response is a global effort -- and sometimes the bravest first responders wear a harness instead of a badge," the department wrote in a post on social media.
The death toll in Venezuela has risen to more than 3,535 people, and thousands are still missing since the quakes struck on June 24. Another 18,000 are homeless in the disaster zone.
Venezuela is now overwhelmed with bodies, and authorities are struggling to collect, identify and preserve them.
International search and rescue efforts are now winding down --12 days after powerful and devastating earthquakes. Local authorities are now turning their focus to housing those who are displaced.
Independent agencies are reporting tens of thousands of people still missing.
The USA-2 members who worked on recovery efforts are returning to Southern California on Monday night. They worked tirelessly with crews from Virginia, Miami and the U.S. State Department over the last two weeks.
The 71 team members and six K-9s are expected to arrive back in L.A. County around 9 p.m.
