A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar and its neighbor Thailand on Friday and leveled buildings, killing almost 100 people when a partially completed high-rise collapsed in Bangkok. With rescue efforts in full swing, Thailand’s top rescue dog team, K9 USAR Thailand, is making headlines as it plays a heroic role in searching for survivors buried under the rubble.
Rescue Teams Race Against Time in Bangkok
Rescuers in Bangkok work around the clock to clear rubble and rescue people still trapped under fallen buildings. Among the diligent rescuers is K9 USAR Thailand, a well-trained rescue dog team sent to search for survivors. Footage of these life-giving dogs digging through hazardous areas of rubble has gone viral, with social media users all over the world hailing them in admiration.
K9 Sahara Becomes the Face of Hope
A specific dog, K9 Sahara, has won over the hearts of the public with her tireless efforts in searching. Over the weekend, she was tasked with a crucial mission in a location peppered with unsteady rubble. Her handler fitted her with protective boots on her front paws at first to guarantee her safety. But after observing the ground, the handler took them off, and Sahara could search more easily for survivors.
Providing for the Welfare of Dog Rescuers
Aside from their lifesaving duties, special care is also given to the welfare of these tireless dogs. Each dog has a personal cooling system within its crate for rest periods, with cooling mats and water buckets used to guard against overheating. Portable air conditioners have also been fitted within the rescue base to keep the dogs at ease during the hot weather. There are also volunteer veterinarians on hand to immediately administer medical care if required.
Despite the fatigue and difficult circumstances, the K9 USAR Thailand unit stays dedicated to its task. “Our goal is to locate the missing individuals,” offered one of the handlers. With every rescue, these incredible canines demonstrate that they are more than search animals—they are real heroes on four legs.
