"Wish for Happiness as a Companion Dog" Gyeonggi 119 Rescue Dog Jeonjin Retires

Belgian Malinois 'Jeonjin' Assigned to the Northern Special Response Team in 2018
Dispatched to 260 Fire and Rescue Scenes Over 6 Years and 4 Months
Rescued 4 Survivors and Located 6 Individuals

The Northern Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters held a retirement ceremony for the 119 rescue dog 'Jeonjin' at the 119 Rescue Dog Center in Namyangju on the 16th.

119 rescue dog 'Jeonjin,' who has protected the lives of Gyeonggi Province residents, is receiving an honorable retirement celebration from firefighters on the 16th. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

Rescue dogs are service dogs in the fire department that search for and locate victims at accident sites such as building collapses or during searches for missing persons by detecting scents.

'Jeonjin,' a Belgian Malinois born in January 2015, completed training at the 119 Rescue Dog Training Unit of the National 119 Rescue Headquarters and was assigned as a rescue dog to the Northern Gyeonggi Special Response Team in December 2018. Over the following six years and four months, until April of this year, Jeonjin was dispatched to fire and rescue scenes 260 times, including searches for missing persons, rescued four survivors, and located six individuals, contributing to the protection of residents' lives.

Now retired at the age of 10, Jeonjin has been adopted by a woman living in Incheon and will spend the rest of his life there. Jeonjin's role will be succeeded by 'Daechan,' a Belgian Malinois born in 2021 and assigned in April of this year, who will continue to serve at various fire and rescue scenes.

Kang Daehoon, head of the Northern Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "As the eighth rescue dog of the Gyeonggi Fire Department, Jeonjin has faithfully carried out his duties, and I commend his service as he retires. I also hope he enjoys a happy life as a companion dog."