Croatia mourns Rain, the nation’s first fire‑search K‑9 pioneer

Rain, a female German Shepherd‑mix born on 5 May 2010, died on 6 August 2026 at the age of 16. Trained by Opatija firefighter Zoran Laslavić, she was Croatia’s first dedicated fire‑search dog and helped establish the country’s K‑9 rescue programme. Over more than 16 years she took part in numerous drills, emergency operations and cross‑border exercises, travelling across Europe and assisting in the training of dozens of new search dogs and their handlers. The pair’s work laid the foundation for today’s network of fire‑search teams throughout Croatia. Following her death, Laslavić posted an emotional farewell, thanking Rain for her “pride, shadow and family” and noting the lasting impact she had on the Croatian fire service. The fire community honoured her with a special medal and plaque, recognizing her role in shaping modern rescue operations.

Rain’s legacy is remembered as a milestone in Croatian public‑safety history, symbolising the growth of specialised canine units within the national fire brigade.