Too-friendly dog emerges as Taiwan earthquake hero

In New Delhi, Roger, an eight-year-old Labrador, originally trained as a drug-sniffing dog, was let go due to being too friendly. However, he has now become an essential part of rescue missions in Taiwan.

Roger discovered his true talent in search and rescue missions after losing his previous job because of his friendly nature.

Following Taiwan’s most powerful earthquake in 25 years, rescue teams have been working tirelessly to find survivors in the debris.

Among the chaos and destruction, the efforts of unexpected heroes – search dogs – have touched the hearts of the nation.

Roger, stationed near Hualien’s Taroko National Park, proved his abilities by finding a victim within five minutes of the search, despite challenging terrain.

Mayor Chen Chi-mai of Kaohsiung, Roger’s hometown, praised his dedication in a Facebook post titled “The Paw Paw team’s feat,” highlighting Roger’s crucial role in finding vital clues that led to survivor rescues.

Roger’s handler, Lee Hsin-hung, praised the dog’s bravery in unfamiliar surroundings, describing him as “very agile” and noting his impressive performance in situations not encountered during training.

However, Roger is not the only canine hero. Three-year-old Wilson, a Jack Russell Terrier, also made significant contributions to the rescue efforts. Despite initial doubts about his abilities, Wilson located two victims in the rubble, showing his intelligence and determination.

Although the death toll from Taiwan’s earthquake has risen to 13, with over 1,140 injured, the efforts of dedicated teams, including these search dogs, provide hope amidst the devastation.