Staff Reports
Maracaibo just gave a hero the kind of welcome most politicians only dream about: a bronze statue, public honors, and a parade. The honoree wasn’t a mayor or a campaign donor. It was Tsunami, an 8-year-old Border Collie credited with finding roughly 26 people after Venezuela’s recent earthquakes. The dog and his handler, Jorge Beens, stood beside the new monument at Vereda del Lago while city leaders talked about building real rescue capacity — and not just photo ops.
Bronze and Bark: The Unveiling in Maracaibo
City officials in Maracaibo unveiled the bronze sculpture — credited to sculptor Josué Benjamín Figueroa — at Vereda del Lago. Mayor Giancarlo Di Martino led the ceremony. Tsunami posed with his handler, Jorge Beens, as the city presented the dog with honors including a Botón Honor al Mérito, a Medalla al Valor and an insignia from the Maracaibo Fire Department. For once, the spotlight went to someone who actually saves lives instead of just taking credit for them.
Officials Promise More Than Praise
Mayor Di Martino used the moment to push a real message: Maracaibo plans to expand its canine rescue teams and improve disaster preparedness. That is the right direction. A statue is fine for morale, but trained teams and equipment stop the mourning. Officials also reminded the public that rescue counts vary among reports — Tsunami is most often credited with finding about 26 survivors — which should remind us that facts matter even in stories that warm the heart.
The Handler’s Plan: Training Center and a Film
Jorge Beens, founder and director of K‑Sar Ecid, thanked the city and announced plans for a national training center for disaster canine teams. He also said a film about Tsunami is in the works. Beens’ story matters: Tsunami was rescued from abuse as a puppy, rehabilitated, and trained for search-and-rescue work. That arc — from neglected animal to lifesaver — shows what targeted care and training can do. It’s a model worth scaling, not just applauding.
Statues Are Nice, Preparedness Is Better
We should celebrate Tsunami. The dog earned it. But let’s not let a pretty monument substitute for real investment. If Maracaibo follows through on training centers, equipment, and coordination, this ceremony will mean something more than a photo op. If officials stop at sculptures and speeches, well — history will remember the nice statue and the missed chance to save more lives. Give the dog his medal, then build the team.
