KUALA LUMPUR: Blake, one of the brave canine heroes who played a key role in the search for remains in the Batang Kali landslide, has been euthanised due to his advanced stage four lymphoma.
The Local Government Development Ministry shared the disheartening news via X earlier today.
He was put to sleep at 4.38pm yesterday.
Blake was diagnosed with the disease last month and admitted to the Veterinary Faculty University Putra Malaysia (UPM)'s Anjing Kesayangan ward last Thursday.
Blake reportedly failed to respond to the medicine and treatment given by the veterinarian, and the lymphoma cancer detected in him had aggressively spread throughout his body.
Veterinarian Dr Nur Alimah Rahman agreed with the decision to put Blake to sleep because of his rapidly deteriorating health, with no hope of recovery.
The decision to euthanise him also considered his suffering from pain and the welfare of the dog, said the ministry in a Facebook post.
"All Fire and Rescue Department will undoubtedly feel the loss of Blake, and the devotional service that has been contributed throughout his service will always be appreciated and remembered.
"Goodbye, Blake," it said in the post.
Blake, a 7-year-old English Springer Spaniel hailing from the United Kingdom, was brought into the fold at the Fire and Rescue Department in 2017.
Apart from the Batang Kali landslide, Blake has also contributed to detecting drowning victim incidents at the Tol Batu 13, Lorong 16, Kampung Kenangan, Selangor; the water surge tragedy at Titi Hayun near Yan, Kedah, and the flooding at Kampung Temelong, Karak in Pahang.
His effort during the Batang Kali landslide alongside the rescuers last year garnered public attention and praise.