Pudding was said to have been a source of grief for the villagers, as she had been going back and forth between her home and the village hall since the tragedy, watching the cars and buses entering the village, eagerly awaiting the reunion of her family. (A screenshot from the Instagram account of the animal rights group CARE)
MUAN, South Korea, Jan. 1 (Korea Bizwire) —In the wake of the devastating Jeju Air crash that claimed the lives of nine family members, a bereaved family member—a dog named Pudding—has been rescued by an animal welfare organization. Pudding had been waiting at home, seemingly hoping for the return of her entire family, who perished in the tragic accident.
The animal rights group CARE announced on January 1 that Pudding had been rescued from the rural village of Gunnam-myeon, Yeonggwang County. Pudding was the cherished companion of the eldest victim, identified as A, a 79-year-old woman, and had also been cared for by A’s six-year-old granddaughter, B, the youngest victim of the tragedy.
The crash occurred as A’s family was returning from their first overseas trip to celebrate her upcoming 80th birthday. Three generations—A, her husband, daughter, granddaughter, and other relatives—were among the nine victims. Pudding, left behind, was seen wandering the village, appearing to search for her family.
Pudding was said to have been a source of grief for the villagers, as she had been going back and forth between her home and the village hall since the tragedy, watching the cars and buses entering the village, eagerly awaiting the reunion of her family. (A screenshot from the Instagram account of the animal rights group CARE)
Pudding was said to have been a source of grief for the villagers, as she had been going back and forth between her home and the village hall since the tragedy, watching the cars and buses entering the village, eagerly awaiting the reunion of her family—a heart-wrenching reminder of the loved ones she had lost and the void left in their absence.
Moved by the dog’s plight, local residents fed her and alerted CARE to her situation. Heartbreaking images of Pudding roaming near the community center and neighbors’ homes were shared in the media, prompting public calls for action.
Pudding was said to have been a source of grief for the villagers, as she had been going back and forth between her home and the village hall since the tragedy, watching the cars and buses entering the village, eagerly awaiting the reunion of her family. (A screenshot from the Instagram account of the animal rights group CARE)
Pudding was transported to Seoul for medical evaluation after the rescue. CARE’s president, Kim Young-hwan, stated, “Pudding was visibly nervous during the car ride but appeared to be a gentle and quiet dog.”
During the initial health check, remnants of unsafe foods, including onion and chicken bones, were found in her vomit, raising concerns about her well-being.
The organization plans to temporarily house Pudding while coordinating with A’s surviving son to determine her future care. “We will keep Pudding in temporary foster care until her family decides whether to take her in or find her a new home,” Kim said.
Although some elderly villagers were reluctant to part with Pudding, they supported the decision for her safety and health.
Reflecting on the broader impact of disasters, Kim added, “Large-scale tragedies like this don’t only affect people. Animals also face significant challenges in recovering.” He cited a 2022 wildfire in Uljin that endangered over 100 animals as a reminder of the often-overlooked toll on pets during crises.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
