Even Rescue Dogs at Earthquake Sites Pass Away... Korea's 'Tobaegi' Shows Fighting Spirit Despite Injuries

Mexican Ministry of National Defense Announces Passing of Rescue Dog
Korean Rescue Dog Continues Rescue Operations After First Aid

At the earthquake site in T?rkiye, rescue operations for earthquake victims are in full swing, but sad news continues to come in that some rescue dogs on duty have passed away or been injured.

Previously, countries that volunteered to assist with earthquake relief dispatched rescue teams, including rescue dogs, to T?rkiye. Among them, it was reported that one of the 16 rescue dogs sent by Mexico died on the 12th (local time).

Obituary of the Mexican Ministry of National Defense / Photo by Yonhap News

According to Mexican news, the Mexican Ministry of National Defense announced the obituary of the German Shepherd rescue dog 'Proteo' on Twitter, saying, "You completed your mission as a member of the Mexican delegation to rescue our brothers in T?rkiye."

The exact cause of Proteo's death is unknown, but it is presumed that he died while conducting rescue activities at the earthquake site.

A colleague who worked alongside Proteo in the rescue operations mourned, saying, "He was strong, worked hard, and never gave up."

He added, "Unfortunately, we will not be able to return home together, but I will never forget you," and "I hope all Mexicans will never forget you."

On the morning of the 10th (local time), in the city of Antakya, Hatay, Turkey, the rescue dog 'Tobaegi,' injured during rescue operations the previous day, continues the search work with a bandage wrapped around its paw. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, in South Korea, rescue dogs were also dispatched to T?rkiye on the 7th to participate in relief efforts.

The rescue dogs belong to the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters and include Labrador Retrievers 'Tobaegi' and 'Tina,' and Belgian Malinois 'Tori' and 'Haetae,' all of whom underwent two years of training.

Tobaegi injured his paw on a sharp object during the search, but with a bandage wrapped around his right front paw to prevent the wound from worsening, he continued the search activities. The Korean rescue team reported that they carry Tobaegi through dangerous areas to ensure he is not uncomfortable.

On the morning of the 10th (local time), in the city of Antakya, Hatay, T?rkiye, the rescue dog 'Tori,' injured during rescue operations the previous day, is waiting to be deployed with a bandage wrapped around its paw. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Not only South Korea and Mexico, but also Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Libya, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have sent rescue dogs to the earthquake sites in T?rkiye and Syria to focus on rescue operations.

Rescue dogs, which have at least 10,000 times the olfactory ability and 50 times the auditory ability of humans, play a crucial role in locating missing persons or discovering bodies at disaster sites.

Using heavy machinery can cause debris to collapse, endangering the lives of survivors, so rescue dogs are deployed in such situations.

Rescue dogs are trained to sniff human scent and bark or scratch where the scent is strong. When it is impossible to clear all debris, rescue dogs can cover a wide area, speeding up search and rescue operations. However, sites filled with sharp rebar, broken bricks, and glass are also dangerous for rescue dogs.

On the morning of the 9th (local time), Korean Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) members and the rescue dog 'Haetae' are conducting rescue operations among buildings collapsed by the earthquake in the Antakya area of Hatay, Turkey. [Image source=Yonhap News]