The recent landslide tragedy in Batang Kali has gripped the nation, with the whole country mourning the deaths of all the victims that perished in the incident. Since Friday (16 December 2022), the search and rescue (SAR) operation has been ongoing nonstop by the SAR team, including the K9 dog detection unit.
Grim-faced, ferocious on command with a keen sense of smell thousands of times more acute than humans, this four-legged hero’s presence is to search the ground in any condition — thick mud, slush or rain. But came a time in the critical operation of the landslide, a K9 sniffer dog in action named “Blake” which is an English springer spaniel, finally keeled over, exhausted.
As reported by Bernama, the canine passed out after working tirelessly for two consecutive days and has now been given rest. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Norazam Khamis commented,
“After two days of slogging more than the allotted time, they (detection dogs) too badly need to rest and recuperate though they are not injured.
“That’s why at this stage, we will rotate them in turn, starting with three (dogs) first, then we will use the rest,”
Norazam further elaborated that there are 11 tracking dogs placed on standby at the scene to assist in the search and more may be requested if it is necessary. Six of them are from JBPM, four from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and one from the Army.
What a trooper! Thank you for your tireless effort Blake and hope you have a good rest.
Also read: Batang Kali Landslide: First Responder Shares Experience of Ongoing SAR Operations
