Skip to main content »
Igorotage

Hero Dog Zeus Helped Locate Two Landslide Victims in Benguet

Zeus, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, is a hero dog who helped locate two landslide victims in Loacan, Itogon, Benguet.

 |  2 min read

Zeus, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, is a hero dog who helped locate two landslide victims in Loacan, Itogon, Benguet. OCD; PCADG

Zeus, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, is a hero dog who recently helped locate two landslide victims in Loacan, Itogon, Benguet.

The landslide struck on August 17, 2021, burying several people under the rubble. The search and rescue efforts were hampered by the difficult terrain, but Zeus was able to sniff out the location of the two missing victims.

"Zeus was able to pinpoint the exact location of the victims, even though they were buried deep under the rubble," said Patrolman Cyrus Backeng, Zeus' handler. "He is a true hero."

Zeus' story is one of overcoming adversity. He was once a malnourished and neglected dog, but he was rescued by Ruben Ventura, a dog trainer and rescue worker. Ventura worked with Zeus to overcome his behavioral problems, and eventually, Zeus was able to graduate from the Cordillera Search and Rescue K9 Team training program.

"Zeus is a strong-willed dog," said Ventura. "He is always willing to work, and he is always eager to please. I knew that he had the potential to be a great rescue dog, and I am so proud of him for what he has accomplished."

Zeus awarded the Outstanding Service Medal and Certificate of Recognition for recovering landslide victims in Loacan, Itogon, Benguet. OCD; PCADG

But Zeus' story is even more inspiring than that.

When Zeus was first rescued, he was so malnourished that he could barely walk. He had no fur on his ears, and his body was covered in scars. He was also very aggressive, and he bit several people who tried to help him.

But Ruben Ventura was determined to help Zeus. He worked with Zeus every day, and slowly but surely, Zeus began to improve. He gained weight, his fur grew back, and his behavior became more manageable.

Eventually, Zeus was able to graduate from the Cordillera Search and Rescue K9 Team training program. He is now a certified rescue dog, and he has helped to locate several missing persons.

On September 6, 2021, Zeus was awarded the Outstanding Service Medal and Certificate of Recognition for recovering landslide victims at Camp Major Bado Dangwa.

Zeus' story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It doesn't matter where you come from or what your past is like. If you have the courage to overcome your challenges, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

I hope you enjoyed this article about Zeus, the Malinois who defied the odds. If you're inspired by Zeus' story, please share it with your friends and family.


Sharing is caring, kailian!

We do hope you find something great in this story. If you find this helpful, please do share it with the people you care about.


Igorotage is a platform for people to share their thoughts and ideas. The views expressed on Igorotage are the opinions of the individual users, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Igorotage.

Comments

Sign in to share your thoughts. No account yet?

What to learn next?

You might also like to read more related articles filed under News — or jump to a random article!

News Surprise me

Pilando Section of Halsema Highway Reopens After 9 Days of Hard Work

Main Pilando Section of the Halsema Highway officially reopens after 9 days of repairs. Critical damage fixed. Travelers advised to stay cautious.

Sep 3 · 1 min read

Benguet Vice Governor Felipe Clarifies Arrangement with Pilando Lot Owner

Benguet Vice Governor Ericson Felipe provides details on the rental agreement with the Pilando lot owner for a one-year term.

Sep 3 · 2 min read

Baguio JKrayonz Dance Crew: Philippines' Representatives at United Dance Organization-Asia Pacific

Baguio JKrayonz Dance Crew to represent the Philippines at United Dance Organization-Asia Pacific in Thailand.

Mar 10 · 3 min read

Senator Bong Go's Impact on Kalinga Provincial Meet: Championing Sports Development

Discover how Senator Bong Go's support for sports programs elevates Kalinga's Provincial Meet, fostering youth empowerment and athletic excellence.

Jan 26 · 2 min read

Dengue Drop: 59% Decrease in Cases in Cordillera Region

Cordillera records a 59% drop in Dengue cases, with 7 deaths this year, down from 20 last year.

Oct 11, 2023 · 2 min read

Benguet Facebook Pages Hacked: What You Need to Know

Benguet Provincial Government's Facebook pages, PIO Benguet and BIYAG, have been hacked. What you need to know and how to protect yourself online.

Sep 27, 2023 · 4 min read

65-Year-Old Nurse Lola Veronica: Baguio's First Female Taxi Driver

The inspiring story of Lola Veronica, the 65-year-old nurse breaking barriers as Baguio City's first female taxi driver.

Sep 1, 2023 · 2 min read

The Binnadang Spirit: Igorot Men Tow Bus Across Cliff

A photo of Igorot men towing a bus through a dangerous steep cliff is a testament to the Igorot spirit of binnadang, a tradition of mutual aid.

Jul 25, 2023 · 4 min read

Mayor Benjamin Magalong's Call to End Pork Barrel and Address National Debt

The Philippines' national debt hits P13.86 trillion, Mayor Magalong calls out corruption and demands change.

Zora in News
Jul 13, 2023 · 9 min read

Igorot General retires after 33 years in the Police Service

Police Brigadier General Cesar Pasiwen, an Igorot General bows out of service after more than 33 years in police service.

Mara in News
Feb 23, 2023 · 1 min read