SERIAN: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has bid an emotional farewell to its fire forensics dog, Sue, who passed away after a year-long battle with bone cancer.
The nine-year-old English Springer Spaniel died peacefully at the Serian Fire Station, where she had been based since 2018.
She was buried yesterday in a quiet funeral service attended by her handler and department officers.
Born in the United Kingdom on 29 June 2016, Sue began her service in Sarawak on Oct 13 2018.
For seven years, she played an instrumental role in helping Bomba officers determine the causes of fires by detecting accelerants and other forensic traces.
Sue gained public attention during the CityOne Mall explosion in Kuching on Dec 4 2018, which killed three people and injured 26 others.
Working alongside her handler Maxwell Joe Richard, she fearlessly searched the blast site to help determine the cause of the incident, earning admiration for her calm composure amid the chaos.
“Sue was more than just a working dog. She was a loyal teammate, a symbol of courage and a cherished companion to all of us who served alongside her,” Maxwell said during the service.
Bomba Sarawak Zone 2 chief PgKB II Gawai John said Sue’s contribution would always be remembered.
“Sue was not only part of our team — she was part of our family. Her work helped us uncover the truth behind many tragic fires, often in difficult and dangerous situations,” he said.
Sue’s dedication and bravery have left a lasting legacy in Bomba Sarawak’s K9 Unit, inspiring future generations of fire investigation dogs.
