Pudding, the family’s pet dog, has been rescued and is waiting for a new home. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM CARE_KOREA_OFFICIAL/INSTAGRAM via The Straits Times/Asia News Network
A pet dog belonging to a family of nine who died in the Jeju Air crash on Dec 29 is awaiting a new home after it was rescued by an animal rights group in South Korea.
The dog, Pudding, was left alone in a village in Yeonggwang County, South Korea, after its 79-year-old owner failed to return home after a trip to Thailand, said animal rights group Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (Care) in an Instagram post on Jan 1.
The 79-year-old man was the oldest victim in the plane crash, reported The Korea Herald. His wife, two daughters, a son-in-law, his granddaughter and three grandsons were also on board.
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The other son-in-law, who did not join the trip, was left grieving over the shocking deaths of his family.
According to Care, Pudding was seen roaming between the family’s home and the village center after the tragedy. It would stare at passing cars and buses, appearing to be searching for its family.
Some concerned villagers had been feeding Pudding, reported Korea Times.
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Care said: “We determined that it was unsafe for Pudding to roam the village without a caretaker.
“After contacting the grieving family at the funeral, we decided to look after Pudding until a suitable guardian can be found.”
Pudding has since been admitted to a veterinary hospital in Seoul.
Care said it is conducting health checks on Pudding first, as its vomit contained chicken bones and onions, which dogs should not consume.
The group will look after Pudding until it finds a new home.