Taiwan's search dogs win hearts in search for quake victims

Roger, an eight-year-old labrador, playing before heading out for a search and rescue mission in Hualien. - PHOTO: AFP

HUALIEN Taiwan (AFP) : A former drug-sniffing dog who lost his job for being too friendly has emerged as the unlikely MVP of the Taiwan rescue teams searching for survivors of the island's strongest earthquake in 25 years.

At least 13 people were killed and more than 1,140 injured by the magnitude-7.4 quake that struck the island on Wednesday, with strict building codes and widespread disaster readiness credited with averting an even bigger catastrophe.