Rescue Dog "Taegong," Dispatched 274 Times, Saved 18 Lives... "Looking for a New Family"

Female Belgian Malinois Born in 2017

Applications Accepted Until May 13 on Gyeonggi Northern 119 Special Response Unit Website

After being dispatched 274 times to mountain and collapse sites and rescuing 18 people, 119 rescue dog "Taegong" is retiring after six years of service.

The Gyeonggi Northern 119 Special Response Unit announced on May 8 that applications for adoption will be accepted until May 13.

Taegong, a female Belgian Malinois born in 2017 weighing 25kg, was assigned to the Northern 119 Special Response Unit in November 2019 and has carried out rescue operations in extreme environments such as mountainous areas and collapse sites.

Rescue dog 'Taegong' is training with paramedics. Provided by Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters

Taegong is a rescue dog certified with Mountain Level 1 and Disaster Level 1 qualifications, and has been recognized for her outstanding search abilities and concentration. Among her team members, she was regarded as a "reliable partner."

Taegong won the top prize, 'Top Dog' (first place), in the individual category of the rescue dog division at the 2024 National Firefighting Skills Competition, and placed second individually at the 2021 National 119 Rescue Dog Competition.

The response unit explained that the decision to retire Taegong was made after a comprehensive review of her health condition and on-site activity circumstances. The unit also announced that Taegong will be offered for free adoption to the general public to ensure she can continue to live a stable life.

Adoption applications will be accepted until May 13. Detailed information on eligibility and the application process can be found on the official website of the Gyeonggi Northern 119 Special Response Unit.

Search and rescue dog "Taegong." Provided by Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters

Meanwhile, the role of rescue dogs is extremely important in rugged mountain areas or disaster sites, as these locations are difficult to access and often cover a wide area. Rescue dogs are deployed proactively into hazardous sites at risk of collapse, searching through narrow gaps and debris where machinery cannot reach, helping to locate missing persons and secure the golden time for rescues.

Rescue dogs carry out missions in situations where advanced rescue equipment struggles, relying on a sense of smell at least 10,000 times stronger and hearing about 50 times sharper than humans. Breeds with excellent olfactory and concentration abilities, such as German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, are primarily used. Selected rescue dogs undergo step-by-step training in search, tracking, and obedience with professional trainers at the 119 Rescue Dog Training Center before being deployed to the field.

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