Support Supplies for 'Unsung Hero' Rescue Dogs at Gwangju Apartment Collapse Bring Warmth

"Thank You for Helping People" Handwritten Letter Accompanied by Bandages, Pet Food, and Snacks

Authorities: "Difficult to Eat Other Food During Mission, Grateful Just for the Thought"

Snacks for dogs sent to the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters' rescue dog training center. Photo by Central 119 Rescue Headquarters

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] There are entities that play an active role at disaster sites just as much as rescue workers during various disaster situations. They shine even more in places where it is difficult for humans to enter. Their hearing is up to 2,000 times better, and their sense of smell is up to 10,000 times more acute than humans.

These are life-saving rescue dogs.

At the site of the collapse accident of the newly constructed apartment by Hyundai Development Company in Gwangju on the 11th of last month, rescue dogs deployed amid difficulties in search and buried victim rescue operations?due to the risk of additional collapse and layers of concrete and rebar debris?are working vigorously alongside rescue workers.

However, news has emerged that rescue dogs sometimes suffer minor and major injuries while walking barefoot over sharply cut rebar and piles of concrete debris, and along with supplies for rescue workers, citizens’ warmth and care for the rescue dogs have also been conveyed.

According to the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters Rescue Dog Training Unit and Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, a package was recently delivered to the training unit on the 4th.

Inside the box were three bags of dog treats and a handwritten letter that appeared to be written by a child.

The letter, which looked as if it was pressed firmly by small hands, read, “Sobaek (the name of a rescue dog deployed at the Gwangju collapse accident), don’t get sick. Thank you for helping people. I love you,” and included a drawing of a black puppy that seemed to represent Sobaek.

Also, at the collapse accident site’s situation room, an anonymous citizen brought five boxes of bandages and two 10kg bags of dog food.

These heartfelt gestures helped warm the hearts of the rescue workers who are fighting alongside the rescue dogs in the rescue operations, even if only for a moment.

Lee Min-gyun, Training Officer of the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters Rescue Dog Training Unit, said, “We are truly grateful just for the citizens’ concern and care for our rescue dogs,” adding, “There are designated specialized hospitals for rescue dogs from the first to third level, so please do not worry too much. The rescue dogs will also be very thankful.”

However, he also expressed feelings of sadness and apology.

Rescue dogs performing their primary duties cannot consume any food other than their usual dog food and treats.

If rescue dogs consume food different from their usual diet, their biological biorhythm can be disrupted, or they may experience stomach upset or diarrhea, so treats received for rescue dogs on standby for deployment cannot be given to them.

Meanwhile, a total of 16 rescue dogs were deployed at the Gwangju apartment collapse accident site.

The rescue dogs are deployed an average of 3 to 5 times a day depending on the site situation and safety diagnosis, and each deployment involves about one hour of search activity.

Considering fatigue, two teams of two dogs each, totaling four dogs, conduct rotational rescue activities daily.

The training officer stated, “We will do our best to carry out the rescue mission until the missing persons can return to their families as soon as possible,” and added, “Although the site is dangerous, we will also make every effort to ensure the safety of the rescue dogs and their handlers.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.