CNN on Sept. 8 covered the heroic canine Baekgu in the story "A dog that saved its owner's life appointed South Korea's first honorary rescue dog." (Screen capture from CNN's website)

 

By Elias Molina and Kim Hayeon

The nation has appointed its first honorary rescue dog.

Chungcheongnam-do Province Gov. Yang Seung-jo on Sept. 6 gave the honor to Baekgu and presented him with the rank of local senior firefighter, the second lowest among the 11 ranks of the firefighting system.

On Aug. 24, Baekgu saved his owner, a 90-year-old woman with dementia who went missing after collapsing in a rice field in the province's Hongseong-gun County. The heroic canine stayed by her side for more than 40 hours and played the critical role in the search as a thermal drone detected the dog's thermal signature.

After rescue workers found the woman, who was suffering from hypothermia, they rushed her to a hospital, where she is now recovering.

Her daughter Shim Geum-sun said, "We became friends with Baekgu, an abandoned dog, three years ago after saving him from attacks by a bigger dog," adding, "He especially followed by mother well, and has apparently returned the favor."

CNN covered this story.

The U.S.-based network on Sept. 8 in the story "A dog that saved its owner's life appointed South Korea's first honorary rescue dog" said, "A plucky four-year-old dog named Baekgu has shown once again why dogs are man's best friend."  

The dog Baekgu on Aug. 24 saved his owner, a 90-year-old woman with dementia who went missing after collapsing in a rice field in Hongseong-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province. The courageous canine stayed by her side for more than 40 hours until help arrived. (Province of Chungcheongnam-do)