“Goodbye, Blake” – Batang Kali Landslide K9 Hero, Blake is Gone Forever After Battle With Cancer

Blake the rescue dog is gone.

Blake, the Batang Kali landslide K9 hero belonging to the Malaysian Fire & Rescue Department (JPBM) had to be euthanised on 18 September after its battle with lymphoma cancer.

The sad news was announced on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Local Government Development last night.

Blake, which was acquired by JPBM back in 2017 was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma on 15 August and was admitted to the Pet Dog Ward at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) about a month later. By this time, Blake had lost its appetite and was constantly feeling fatigued.

During its stay in the ward, the vets tried their best to treat Blake but to no avail.

“Blake showed no response to the medicines and the treatment. The cancer became aggressive after it had spread further throughout its body.”

The decision to put Blake down was not immediate and certainly was not easy. After a discussion with Dr. Nur Alimah Rahman, the team decided to euthanise the dog due to its worsening health condition and they saw no hope for the English Springer Spaniel to get better.

“There was no hope of recovery for Blake. We wanted to end its suffering.”

In case you missed it, Blake was among the heroes who had massively contributed to the search for the landslide victims in Batang Kali late last year. That was not Blake’s only contribution as the dog had an impressive “resume”. It was also involved in other rescue works throughout the country, including,

• detecting drowned victims in Tol Batu 13, Lorong 16, Kampung Kenangan, Selangor
• Search & Rescue work in Yan, Kedah
• Locating buried victims in Kampung Temelong, Karak, and Pahang.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some don’t even speak our languages. The Ministry of Local Government Development also delivered their last words to Blake in the post.

“The loss of Blake will certainly be felt by all JBPM members. Blake’s devotional service will always be appreciated and remembered. Goodbye, Blake.”

Rest in peace, Blake the K9 hero. 

Also read: Batang Kali Landslide is the 2nd Worst Disaster in M’sia, After the Highland Towers’ Collapse in 1993