After rescuing 7 people trapped in Pedernales, Ecuador due to an earthquake, rescue dog Dayko passed away due to exhaustion.
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| Dayko the dog was exhausted after more than three hours searching for earthquake victims – Photo: Independent |
The 4-year-old dog suffered a stroke while searching for victims under collapsed buildings after the earthquake, according to the Ibarra Fire Department. Together with the Ibarra Fire Department rescue team, he searched tirelessly for three and a half hours in Pedernales, one of the worst-hit areas.
After discovering Dayko had a heart attack, veterinarians tried every way to save him but were unsuccessful. It is known that in addition to Dayko, many other rescue dogs were also injured while saving people.
“This four-legged friend gave his life in the line of duty. Thank you, Dayko, for your heroic efforts in Pedernales and in other emergencies you have responded to,” the Ibarra Fire Department wrote on Facebook.
Dayko’s story moved the online community with tens of thousands of likes and shares. Many people called him a hero.
However, according to The Independent on April 27, some people also criticized that the rescue team overworked Dayko, but the Ibarra Fire Department confirmed that he died of heat stroke due to dogs’ poor control of body temperature.
Considered the worst earthquake in Ecuador’s history, the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 16 killed more than 600 people and injured more than 12,000.
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| Rescue team and Dayko dog search for victims in hot weather – Photo: Independent |
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| Everyone tried to save Dayko but failed – Photo: Independent |