In April 2016, a major earthquake occurred in Ecuador, killing 600 people. Thousands of houses and buildings were destroyed. There were a lot of people under the rubble. The most affected area was Pedernales, where the main forces of rescuers who arrived from different regions of the country were thrown. Among them was the search and rescue department of the Ibarra Fire Department. Together with the professionals, the dogs also came to fulfill their duty.
A Labrador named Daiko, along with three other dogs, worked in this unit. The task of the dogs is to search for people under the rubble. Thanks to their nose, they detect a person by smell.
The Labrador served in this department for more than three years and was the best search dog. He was repeatedly awarded various awards and diplomas. Thanks to Daiko, a group of French tourists who got lost in Imbabur was rescued.
Arriving at the site of the rubble this time, the dog, like rescuers, worked without sleep, food and water for several days. It was unbearably hot outside, which worsened the search. Daiko was able to save seven people during these days.
But after completing the search work, the dog suddenly fell. Everyone rushed to him, immediately connected ivs, but it was too late. The dog died of dehydration before reaching the veterinary clinic.
It turns out that the dog has not even been given water these days. He ran tirelessly in the heat, and no one remembered about him. Everyone was busy saving people. Therefore, the animal was simply forgotten. Rescue dogs are trained in such a way that they can search for people all day long without sleep and food. And in this situation, the heat was also added, which aggravated the dog’s condition.
Daiko was buried at the site adjacent to the fire station in his hometown.
