PROTECTIVE dog boots from Gwent have been sent for use by sniffer spaniels at the disaster sites in New York and Washington.

And now unique flashing dog collars are also being lined up to be despatched to aid handlers in their efforts in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the USA.

Pairs of the dog boots have already been sent to one charitable rescue organisation which is working at the two American disaster scenes.

Newport entrepreneur Trevor Palmer, (pictured) who invented the Wet Walker boots for dogs, has already sent them to Medicin Sans Frontiers, the French volunteer rescue group. Mr Palmer is now offering more sets of the boots, made from the tough material used in divers' wetsuits, to other rescue organisations.

Mr Palmer, managing director of Newport-based Global Leather Consulting Company, said: "I sent some of the boots to Medicin Sans Frontiers after I heard what had happened in the USA as I knew they use sniffer dogs and that the protective boots would come in handy.

"The boots will protect the dogs' paws from getting cut on the glass, metal or whatever other horrors are lying around the disaster site and allow them to concentrate on sniffing. "A sniffer dog with an injured paw is a dog our of action.

"I have also recently created a flashing dog collar, which is equipped with a flashing light, which is designed to allow dog handlers to keep track of their animals at night and when the dogs have had to disappear down dark holes and into crevices - I am also making these available to rescue groups."

Mr Palmer has already had his Wet Walkers out on test with various police departments in the UK, including Gwent, and the flashing collars are also being trialled. The Wet Walker boots come in five sizes, are adjustable, and are said to be best suited to spaniels and labradors which are most often used as sniffer dogs.

* Mr Palmer can be contacted by rescue organisations looking to use the two aids on (01633) 216644 or on the web at www.globaleather.com