Koovi, canine reunites with family eight months after Pettimudi landslide

Idukki: Witnessing much-loved master's body in the debris, the Pettimudi landslide which occurred eight months ago, was a heart-rending incident for Koovi, canine. Koovi had hit headlines last year, as the canine wandered across the landslide-hit area for many days searching frantically for its master.

It was Koovi who helped the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to find the body of the two-year-old girl, Thanu, the canine's playmate. After finding the girl's body, Koovi hesitated to eat anything.

Palaniamma is the lone survivor in the family and Koovi was being taken care of by Ajith Madhavan, dog trainer, Idukki District Police. Palaniamma wished to reunite with Koovi and the State Director General of Police (DGP) took notice of it.

Relieving Palaniamma's longing, police team handed over Koovi to Palaniamma in Munnar. In a heart-touching moment, Koovi ran to her with joy and excitement.

Sub Inspector Roy Thomas, trainers Saji John, Rajeev, Jerry John and Dias P Jose who are part of Idukki police dog training team brought Koovi to Munnar. Munnar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) R Suresh officially handed over Koovi to Palaniamma. Munnar Sub Inspector M Sufi and other officers were present.

The canine had been sniffing and running around the landslide-hit area for eight days, perhaps expecting its human friends to return. Koovi himself located the lifeless body of his little playmate Thanu. The body of the two-year-old was found blocked by a tree that had been lying under a bridge.

The Fire and Rescue personnel and the police team were searching for the missing persons around the gravel bank area, about four kilometres away from Pettimudi. When the rescue personnel saw the dog sniffing around in the area and staring at one particular spot, it drew their attention.

When they checked the spot, they found the body of the child and retrieved it. The dog continued to remain at the spot where the girl's body was found, perhaps expecting her to return.

According to reports, 61 bodies were recovered from the landslide site at Pettimudi in the high range Idukki district. The landslide triggered by heavy rains had flattene a row of 20 houses of tea plantation workers in Rajamala on August 7.