‘Baekgu’, the dog who saved a woman in her 90s with dementia, appointed honorary rescue dog

The companion dog 'Baekgu' who saved a missing elderly woman in her 90s with dementia. Provided by Hongseong-gun.

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Baekgu, a white dog who saved the life of a woman in her 90s with dementia, has been appointed as an honorary rescue dog. This is the first case of honorary rescue dog appointment nationwide.

On the 6th, Chungnam Province announced that it had appointed the companion dog ‘Baekgu (4 years old)’ as the nation’s first honorary 119 rescue dog in front of the Yeokjae Pond Park’s Opinion (Dog) Statue in Hongseong.

According to Chungnam Province and the police, Baekgu was recognized for its contribution to rescuing Ms. A (female, in her 90s), who was found collapsed on a rice paddy embankment on the 26th of last month, and was appointed as an honorary rescue dog.

Ms. A, a dementia patient, had gone missing after leaving her home around 11 p.m. the previous night, and her whereabouts were unknown.

Immediately after the disappearance, the police confirmed Ms. A through CCTV installed at a nearby farm and, together with the neighborhood watch and villagers, began searching the surrounding area, but the search was difficult due to rain that started falling at dawn.

Eventually, Ms. A was found collapsed in a field in Seobu-myeon around 3:30 p.m. the next day, together with Baekgu.

The rescue was made possible when a thermal imaging drone deployed at the scene to search for the missing person detected a vital sign. Instead of Ms. A, whose body temperature was not detected due to hypothermia, Baekgu’s body temperature was captured on the drone’s screen.

In particular, the province and police believe that Baekgu stayed by Ms. A’s side, sharing body heat with her.

Ms. A was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment and is reported to have recovered her health.

Ms. A and her family formed a bond with Baekgu three years ago when Baekgu, then a stray dog, was helped after being bitten by a large dog. It is also said that Baekgu was especially attached to Ms. A during their time living together.

Meanwhile, the Fire Agency established the ‘Regulations on the Operation of Honorary Firefighters and Fire Promotion Ambassadors’ in April last year, providing a basis for appointing people and animals as honorary firefighters. Baekgu became the nation’s first honorary 119 rescue dog appointed under these regulations.

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungnam Province, said, “During a difficult time for everyone due to COVID-19, Baekgu delivered an incredible miracle that moved us all,” and added, “What Baekgu showed is loyalty to its owner and is no different from human filial piety beyond love.”