Dayko working among the rubble of the Ecuadorian earthquake (Picture: CEN)

A rescue dog cited with saving seven people’s lives following the Ecuador earthquake has died from exhaustion.

Homeward Bound homesick dog walked 240 miles back to original ownerDayko, a heroic four-year-old white Labrador, joined rescue efforts in Pedernales, one of the most damaged areas in the northwest Ecuadorian province of Manabi.

Sadly, Dayko collapsed and firefighters made the announcement that he had died.

They wrote: ‘Thank you Dayko for your heroic work in Pedernales and in the various emergencies where you were present, you held high the name of the K9 Unit.’


Dayko is believed to have saved at least seven lives (Picture: CEN)

A mixture of the heat, dehydration and the huge effort he had made during the rescue missions reportedly proved too much for him.



Children of Chernobyl return to disaster zone, 30 years after nuclear meltdownThe medical team tried everything they could to save him, but it was to no avail.

Dayko’s job was to find survivors in the rubble, leading to the rescue of at least seven people who might not have been found otherwise.

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Local media have hailed him as ‘the dog who gave his life for his work’ and social media users have left him many admiring comments, offering touching condolences.

Dayko collapsed and firefighters announced that he had died (Picture: CEN)

Firefighters held a short service for the dog before burying him (Picture: CEN)