Since 2011, when rescue dogs were first officially incorporated into national emergency services, 39 dogs have died while performing rescue operations at various disaster sites. (Image courtesy of The National Fire Agency)
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – The National Fire Agency’s Central 119 Rescue Headquarters announced on October 31 the dedication of a memorial honoring search and rescue dogs who lost their lives while serving at disaster sites.
The monument has been erected at the 119 Rescue Dog Training Center’s disaster training grounds in Daegu, South Korea.
Since 2011, when rescue dogs were first officially incorporated into national emergency services, 39 dogs have died while performing rescue operations at various disaster sites.
The memorial, comprising three distinct sections, features individual name plates meticulously engraved with the names of each fallen rescue dog.
Since 2011, when rescue dogs were first officially incorporated into national emergency services, 39 dogs have died while performing rescue operations at various disaster sites. (Image courtesy of The National Fire Agency)
The upper section showcases a sculpture of Dasol, South Korea’s first official rescue dog who served with the Wonju Fire Station in 1998. The dynamic statue depicts a rescue dog actively searching for survivors amid collapsed debris.
The middle section, designed as a symbolic eternal resting place, takes the form of a square kennel, reminiscent of the dogs’ living quarters during their service. The lower base section represents the dogs’ readiness to deploy anywhere in the world where help is needed.
“This memorial was created to honor the sacrifice of our 119 rescue dogs who worked alongside us to protect the lives and property of our citizens at various disaster sites,” said Sung Ho-sun, director of the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters. “We will continue our efforts to train and manage rescue dogs in a sustainable and stable manner.”
The memorial will be open to the public, allowing visitors to pay their respects to these fallen heroes of Korea’s emergency services.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
