KUCHING: Two new four-legged recruits have arrived to join Sarawak’s firefighters, bringing with them wagging tails, sharp noses and a whole lot of heart.
Max and Cooper, both English Springer Spaniels from the United Kingdom, touched down at the Kuching International Airport cargo terminal here today (Apr 22) before making their way to the Bomba Sarawak headquarters, their new home.
Max is slightly over a year old, while Cooper is two years old.
Waiting to welcome them were their new handlers, namely Senior Fire Officer I Maxwell Joe Richard Sampa and Senior Fire Officer I Peter Huang, who will now form close working bonds with their canine partners.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Jamri Masran said the dogs will first undergo a 14-day quarantine at the Serian Fire and Rescue Station before officially reporting for duty.
“These dogs replace our previous K9 units, and we hope they can adapt well to Sarawak’s conditions.
“They will undergo a 14-day quarantine at the Serian Fire and Rescue Station before beginning operations,” he told reporters when met at the headquarters.
Trained in the United Kingdom, Max and Cooper are not just companions but highly skilled K9 units capable of assisting in various operations, from locating missing persons in the wilderness to supporting urban search and rescue missions.
Their arrival also brings a renewed sense of warmth to the unit, especially after the loss of two ageing K9 members previously. With Max and Cooper joining the team, Sarawak now has six K9 dogs ready to serve.
Across Malaysia, Bomba’s K9 Dog Detection Unit continues to grow, with 16 new dogs brought in from the United Kingdom last year to support operations nationwide.
Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the new dogs will complement the existing 20 nationwide, noting that about half are over 12 years old.
The breeds include English Springer Spaniel and Labrador Retriever, selected for their suitability to Malaysia’s tropical climate and specialised functions.
