Bunkō: The Firefighting Dog

Bunkō was famous and well loved throughout Japan as The Firefighting Dog in the early 1900s.

In 1914, a crying puppy was found in burnt-down ruins in Otaru, Japan by a firefighter. No one claimed the puppy so the firefighters kept him and named him Bunkō. The mixed-breed dog was loved by the firefighters and the people of Otaru.

Bunkō was an intelligent dog who proudly walked around the station wearing a firefighter's hat. He soon began copying the firefighters (standing to attention and saluting when commanded) and helping the men when fires occurred. When the alarm sounded, he would howl to alert the men and ride along with them on the side-step of the fire truck - without falling off on his more than 1000 runs. When they arrived at the scene of the fire, he would grab the nozzle of the hose with his mouth to give to the firefighter, and if the hose was to become tangled during the process of fighting the fire, he would untangle it. He would also stop onlookers from getting close to the fire by barking at them. He became known as "the firefighting dog" and his story was told in newspapers and magazines throughout Japan.

Bunkō lived a long life, and as he aged and his legs became weak, the determined and dedicated dog would try his hardest to board the fire truck when the fire alarm went off. He passed away in February 1938, at the age of 24. His body was preserved and displayed at the fire services main headquarters for a while before being moved to a museum, and a bronze statue of him was made to honor his services.

Boomer: A Fireman's Three-Legged Dog Hero

Boomer made history after he tried to save his master in a rather unusual way.

A stone monument, that sits next to some railroad tracks in MaKanda Illinois, is dedicated to a three-legged dog named Boomer. It is said the dog was running alongside a train that was carrying his master when a fire broke out. To help save his master, Boomer attempted a really difficult maneuver to put the fire out. He lifted one of his three legs while in mid-run and apparently was hoping his urine would put out the train's fire. It didn't, and poor Boomer died trying.

The plaque on the monument reads "In memory of Boomer the hound dog. Tradition says he dashed his life out against the iron abutment of the railroad bridge 300 feet south of this point on September 2, 1859, while running along on three legs trying to put out the flame in a hotbox on the speeding train of his beloved fireman-master."

Legend was that Boomer could outrun trains, and the railroad did not like that.

Wallace: The Canine Who Wanted to Be a Fire Dog

Wallace became famous in history for wanting to become a fire dog and for dedicating his life to serving his community.

Firemen and Wallace the fire dog at Central Fire Station in 1898

At a fund raising parade for the Lifeboat Funding Appeal in 1894, Wallace was seen following the Fire Brigade through the streets of Glasgow. After the parade, he continued following the firemen and their horse drawn wagons back to the Central Fire Station. His owner fetched him back to his house but Wallace kept returning to the station. Eventually he was allowed to stay and ended up spending the rest of his days there as their mascot and helper. Wallace became a favorite with the firemen and the town's people.

When the fire alarm sounded Wallace would accompany the men to the fire, running a good distance ahead of the wagon warning the people to get out of the way. Many spectators who watched the dog were at a loss to understand how Wallace always seemed to know the way to the fire. Some believed the dog just had good instincts on knowing where to go, but actually he was taking his direction from the driver who would use his whip to signal a right or left turn.

People would often drop by the station to visit Wallace. One day an elderly lady stopped by and noticed he had a sore paw. To help protect his paws on fire outings she bought the dog four small rubber boots that were made specially for him. I am sure Wallace appreciated the lady's kind gift, but he only wore them once and lost two of them on the road back from a call out.

Wallace passed away in 1902. Many mourned the death of the dog "who worked his wee paws off for seven years, leading the Fire Brigade back and forth from the fires in the city, day and night." A number of poems were submitted to the Firemaster of the Glasgow Fire Brigade as a tribute to Wallace after his passing, and several books have been written about him years after his death.

The firemen paid for Wallace to be embalmed and placed in a glass case together with his two rubber boots. The collar he is wearing was made from old fashioned Glasgow Fire Brigade officer's rank markings. The display can be seen at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Trust Museum in Greenock.

Dalmatians: Famous Firehouse Dogs

Dalmatians became famous dogs in history for helping firefighters when horses pulled water wagons to the scene of fires.

Dalmatians are strong dogs who can run for miles with considerable speed. They became popular with the aristocrats during the 18th century in the days of coach travel in Europe. Having a natural affinity to horses, the dogs would run with the carriages and protect the horses from other animals that could spook or attack them during the ride.

In the 1800s, when fire engines were horse driven carriages, Dalmatians were adopted by firehouses in Europe and the US. The dogs were a valuable asset to the firefighters in several ways:

When there was no fire, the Dalmatians would act as watchdogs. The dogs would prevent thieves from stealing equipment and horses so the men didn't have to. They also provided companionship to the horses. Horses are not solitary animals. They enjoy having company, and Dalmatians formed an amazingly close bond with them once they were introduced.

When there was a fire and the alarm sounded, the Dalmatians would dash outside and bark to let people know they need to get out of the way so the wagons could get out quickly. Once the wagons were on their way, the dogs would run with them and continue barking to clear a path to the scene.

When the firefighters were concentrating on putting out the fire, the Dalmatians would distract and comfort the horses, who are afraid of fire, as they pulled the wagon closer to the blaze. They also stayed near the wagons to prevent people stealing equipment and horses, and sometimes they would even help rescue people from burning buildings.

Today, Dalmatians are no longer needed to clear pathways or protect and calm horses but many firehouses keep the famous fire dog to serve as a mascot and to educate the public in fire safety. They continue to make excellent watchdogs and they are even good at catching rats that have taken up residence in the firehouse.

Some firefighters choose Dalmatians as personal pets, in honor of their past.