Venezuelan rescue dog Tsunami honored with statue for earthquake work

A mixed‑breed rescue dog known locally as “Milo” has been immortalized with a bronze statue in Caracas after his pivotal role in locating survivors following a series of magnitude‑5.8 earthquakes that struck the western Venezuelan states of Táchira and Mérida in early June. The monument, unveiled on Saturday at the headquarters of the National Civil Protection Agency, was funded by a coalition of municipal authorities and private donors who praised Milo’s “unwavering dedication” during the emergency response.

According to officials from the Venezuelan Red Cross, Milo worked alongside volunteer teams for more than two weeks, navigating collapsed structures and identifying over a dozen victims, some of whom were rescued alive. The statue, sculpted by local artist Carlos Méndez, depicts the dog in a forward‑leaning stance, symbolizing vigilance and hope. In his remarks, agency director Ana López highlighted the animal’s contribution as a reminder of the vital role that trained service dogs play in disaster relief, and the ceremony concluded with a moment of silence for the earthquake victims.