The heart of Bagheera, the dog who became a global symbol of courage and the will to survive, has stopped beating. The news was shared on Facebook by Lyudmyla Melnykova, head of the “Berserk” Animal Rescue Federation.
Bagheera was rescued on June 7, 2023, from a flooded area in the Kherson region following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. A photo of her clinging to a rescuer’s leg with her front paws spread around the world, becoming one of the most touching symbols of the tragedy. Her rescue involved many people, including renowned animal rights activist Anna Kurkurina.
Before being rescued, Bagheera had spent most of her life on a chain, barely knowing affection or proper food. But the last year and a half of her life was filled with love and care from her new family — Yurii and Olena. According to Melnykova, those were the moments when Bagheera finally experienced what life truly means.
“When an animal becomes a symbol, its death hurts even more. But she left this world knowing what kindness is,” Melnykova wrote.