Even though Balam is a rescue dog from the Querétaro Red Cross, his story stands out because he survived poisoning while traveling to Turkey to assist with search and rescue efforts.
Following an incident where a neighbor threw sausages infected with alkaloids at him while he was on his daily walk with his parents Athos and Tango, who were both dedicated to the noble cause of saving puppies, this wonderful furry friend was faced with a life-or-death decision.
Marcelo Ebrard, the Secretary of Foreign Relations, mentioned that a team of experts from Sedena, the Navy, the Red Cross, along with a group of Topos, arrived in the city of Adana, located 240 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter, to provide assistance to the Eurasian nation during this challenging period.
There are 16 pairs of trained dogs ready for this situation. Ebrard stated that the primary focus now is on rescuing people as it is urgent.
Balam fought to survive and now has the important task of saving others. He acts impartially, without being affected by past injuries, unlike humans.
To locate you and alert others of his discovery, he’ll be the first to offer help and will go into areas inaccessible to humans.
Next time you think of puppies as just pets, reconsider and recognize the great nobility and intelligence they possess.
There’s so much we can learn from these amazing individuals! Balam is a hero without a cape and a miracle of life.
The death of these puppies led to the first case of animal cruelty being prosecuted in Mexico, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence for the perpetrator. Sadly, Balam’s parents were too young to survive the vicious attack.
On June 13, 2021, Benjamin N., aged 60, committed the cruel act of poisoning the furry rescuers.
Because of Athos, Balam’s father, who had an impressive track record of helping to locate seven people buried under the rubble in the Mexico City earthquake on September 19, 2017, the case sparked significant controversy in the Latin American region. Eventually, the trial against the man responsible for his death reached its conclusion.
As reported by various local media outlets, the man had repeatedly threatened the puppies’ owners, warning them of harm if they continued walking along the streets they shared. Tragically, he achieved his aim, resulting in the death of Balam and Tango’s father.
Justice prevailed, and the man now serves time in jail. Meanwhile, Balam continues his father’s legacy by saving lives and spreading light and love in the midst of Mother Nature’s destruction.
Following this tragedy, Balam has been embraced by caring individuals who have supported him through his recovery. Among them was Edgar Martínez, who eventually became the primary caregiver for the border collie/Australian shepherd mix.
They’ve been training extensively to rescue missing persons, a key skill of this adorable furball that’s winning over millions of hearts with its remarkable work.
Balam, the only dog to survive the poisoning, is now aiding in the rescue efforts for those affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.
