Meet Frida, the dog that's saving people in earthquake-hit Mexico
What's the story
Frida is a seven-year-old golden labrador recruited by the Mexican Navy to identify and rescue survivors of natural disasters. She has saved 52 lives so far. One among the team of 15 rescue dogs, she is currently aiding the search operations at a Mexico City school, severely damaged by the September 19 earthquake. Frida was previously deployed in the earthquake-hit state Oaxaca.
Gone viral
Frida is social media's new darling
Since she was deployed on Tuesday, Frida has become an internet sensation. Hailing her as an unlikely hero, people from across the world are thanking her for her contribution in Mexico's rehabilitation. Twitter is awash with her photos and videos. One user got her likeliness tattooed on his forearm. Others want her to replace famous artist Frida Kahlo on the 500-peso note.
Twitter Post
Frida to replace Frida Kahlo on the Mexican 500 note?
Sí.
— Risco (@jrisco) September 21, 2017
Sí y punto. pic.twitter.com/OEIjMSrxLm
Do you know?
This is how rescue dogs are trained
Two-month-old dogs are chosen for service. They are made to fetch a toy for three hours everyday. Because they chase the trainer for the toy, they start linking a person's smell with the probability of getting a reward. It helps them sniff out people.
Details
History repeats 32 years later: Is September 19 Mexico's doomsday?
Hours before the earthquake struck central Mexico on Tuesday, Mexicans had held drills to mark the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 earthquake, one of the worst the nation has ever seen. The quake hit at 1:14 pm. on Tuesday with epicentre near Raboso, a town 123 kilometers away from Mexico City. With 7.1-magnitude, it has reportedly claimed at least 273 lives as of now.