Six dogs – Blake, Grouse, Denti, Lady, Pop, and Frankie – were awarded “Hero Malaysia” medals, while their handlers were given certificates.

Kalaivanan Ravichandran, president of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia said the group had been given permission by senior superintendent Donny Chap to offer their thanks to the team involved in the Batang Kali landslide search and rescue operation in December.

The landslide tragedy claimed 31 lives and involved more than 90 people. Fire and rescue teams, especially the K9 unit, worked hard to save victims and search for bodies for more than five days in a row.

“They waded through the mud until they collapsed from exhaustion. They searched day and night, not stopping until all the victims involved were found,” Kalaivanan said.

On Monday, four dogs, Blake, Lady, Grouse and Pop, were awarded “Golden Performance” medals by local government development minister Nga Kor Ming, who also presented certificates of appreciation to the firefighters involved.