THE Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) today held a ceremony to pay their last respects to Cliff - its heroic tracker dog which died last month.
According to reports in Borneo Post, the canine was with the department since 2018 and had served with unwavering dedication.
Cliff died due to complications from a bladder rumour.
The emotional ceremony was held at the Serian fire station grounds and attended by firefighters and members of the community.
It began with a procession led by Cliff's handler, Steven Ambu, while firefighters lined the path, saluting their fallen comrade.
Sarawak Bomba director Datu Khirudin Drahman said Cliff played a crucial role in swiftly locating victims in time-sensitive situations where delays could have been fatal.
“The loss of Cliff is not just a tragedy but a personal loss for his handler, Steven, who has been inseparable from him since Cliff was a small puppy.
"Losing Cliff feels like losing a cherished family member and today, we witness the genuine sorrow on Steven’s face.
"From bathing to taking medication, every aspect of life was shared. In losing Cliff, we recognise the depth of the bond that echoes the sentiment that a dog is truly man’s best friend," he said.
Steven said Cliff, an English Springer Spaniel from the United Kingdom, was born in January 2016 and was trained in cadaver detection.
He said Cliff was his first canine trainee when he returned to Sarawak in 2018.
“We started together in the same year; I reported in early, while Cliff joined in December 2018,” he said, adding that Cliff passed away on Christmas Day.
Among Cliff’s notable successes was locating a victim in Nanga Belaik, Ulu Skrang and another in Long Miri.
His efficiency also significantly aided in expediting search and rescue operations in risky river areas.
Throughout his service in the K9 unit, Cliff participated in over 10 bomb disposal operations, contributing to the smooth execution of operations at incident sites. - The Vibes, January 4, 2024
