Dogs of Chernobyl to start a new life in the US Stray dogs left in the restricted zone around Chernobyl long after its human residents were evacuated following the meltdown are getting the chance to start a new life in the US. The "Dogs of Chernobyl" programme, which started last year, offers dogs under one year-old up for adoption in the US, while adult dogs are given vaccinations, sterilised and sent back to the area where they were caught. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES