QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Five rescue dogs were honored by Ecuador’s Fire Department on Monday at a ceremony formally retiring them after seven years of service and turning them over to new adoptive owners. Lt. Col. Esteban Cardenas said the dogs — Ares, Kratos, Zeus, Titan and Gaia — were part of the first class of canines used by the department’s rescue unit, which works with German shepherds and golden retrievers. Cardenas recalled some of their feats, including aiding in finding survivors of earthquakes and landslides across Ecuador and abroad, including a mission to Mexico in 2017. He said veterinarian reports had suggested it was time to retire the five dogs. “Today for us is a day of mixed feelings. We really would not want them to leave. We would have liked to have them with us in our ranks,” Cardenas said. The dogs’ new owners were selected carefully after meeting certain requirements, he said. Gaia’s new owner, Valeria Zevallos, said she was amazed by her new pet’s previous career of saving lives. “Many adventures await us now. After her work adventures, family adventures,” she said. |
West Coast meat processor admits water quality failureWellington job market already tough before public sector redundanciesUS Senators Express Concern Over North KoreaUnused Auckland surgical centre could be treating more than 15,000 patients a yearFire kills 29 people at Istanbul nightclub during daytime renovationsNew Auckland surgical building cannot open due to lack of staffSuper Rugby Aupiki final live updates: Blues Women v Chiefs ManawaCoalition talks stretch on one month past election dayUS Senators Express Concern Over North KoreaImam and dairy farmer Reza Abdul