Koume, a five-year-old dog, has been awarded a commendation by local fire authorities in Japan for her bravery in saving a man’s life. According to a report by CNN on May 9th, the incident occurred at the Wakaba Riding Park in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, where Koume was employed as a mascot.
The riding club spoke to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper and described the events leading up to the heroic rescue. On February 25th, a man in his 50s collapsed in the parking lot of the riding park after complaining of discomfort during his horseback ride. Koume discovered the man and began barking continuously, catching the attention of staff members who came to investigate. The man was found unconscious, and the quick response of the staff and emergency services saved his life using a defibrillator.
The man has since made a full recovery and has returned to enjoying horseback riding at the Wakaba Riding Park. The Wakaba Fire Department, which was also involved in the rescue, thanked Koume and the staff members for their quick response and commended them for their bravery.
The riding club’s instructor, Maruo Yuna, described Koume as usually quiet, but she would bark loudly in emergency situations. Koume is the latest in a line of mascots the riding club has kept for several years. Maruo stated that Koume’s predecessor, Yume, played a maternal role in Koume’s upbringing.
Maruo recounted that Koume had alerted staff members on previous occasions, such as when a horse had attempted to escape or when an older horse was having difficulty standing. She added that Yume would be proud of Koume’s bravery, saying, “I’m sure Yume is watching from heaven and is very proud of her.”
This incident serves as a reminder that even the smallest actions can make a significant difference in emergencies, and Koume’s heroic actions have rightfully earned her recognition from the local fire department.