SERIAN: Cliff, a tracker dog with the Fire and Rescue Department, has been laid to rest after succumbing to a tumour.

The English springer spaniel, who died on Christmas Day, was buried at the fire station here where he was based since arriving in Sarawak in 2018.

State Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Khirudin Drahman said Cliff was a cadaver dog, trained to detect bodies in search and rescue operations.

"He was very dedicated and always went to the front in operations. He could work for long hours.

"Cliff went on many operations, including looking for missing people in the jungle, and he was a big help," he told reporters after the burial ceremony on Thursday (Jan 4).

Khirudin said Cliff's passing was deeply felt by department personnel, particularly his handler Steven Ambu.

"It's a big loss to the K9 Unit and the department. For Steven, he has lost a friend," he said.

Steven, who was visibly emotional during the ceremony, said he had worked with Cliff since the canine arrived as a puppy from Britain in 2018.

He spent the first few months bonding with his new buddy besides continually training Cliff as a cadaver dog.

Their first operation together was in the aftermath of an explosion at a mall in Kuching in December 2018 while the final one was a drowning case in Long Miri at the end of October last year.

"I have many memories of Cliff. The best memory is seeing him get excited.

"He was a very intelligent dog and very fast too.

"He was also very friendly and liked to interact with people," Steven said, adding that he had gone on more than 10 operations with Cliff.