In heartbreaking news, Mexican Defense Minister Luis Cresencio announced that Proteo, a Mexican rescue dog, who was sent to Turkey as a member of a dog squad, passed away while looking for the survivors buried under the rubble of the earthquake that hit Turkey.Defense Minister Luis Cresencio announced the rescue dog's death at President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's daily news conference on Sunday, February 12.As soon as the news of the rescue dog's death came to light, tributes started pouring in. Twitter user, @sitivmc, shared several pictures of the dog and thanked him for his support to Turkey during this disaster.Steve@sitivmcDear MexicoThank you for your support to Turkey during this disaster. Your rescue team saved many lives. Sadly, one of your hero lost his life while helping us. You couldn't be prouder. He is our hero and legend. We will honour its memory forever #Proteo #MexicanK9 #earthquake924141Dear Mexico🇲🇽Thank you for your support to Turkey during this disaster. Your rescue team saved many lives. Sadly, one of your hero lost his life while helping us. You couldn't be prouder. He is our hero and legend. We will honour its memory forever #Proteo #MexicanK9 #earthquake https://t.co/oLHXV0aKCXThe rescue dog passed away on Sunday, February 12, after he performed his duties in Adıyaman, one of the 10 cities affected by the earthquakes. According to a report by Daily Sabah, the German Shepherd helped save at least two people before being severely injured in the line of duty.The Mexican Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) released an official statement that said:"As members of the Mexican Army and Air Force, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our great comrade, the dog named Proteo. You accomplished your mission. Thank you for your heroic work."Social media users pay tribute to Proteo, the rescue dogThe Mexican Ministry of National Defense shared a video in which they remembered the rescue dog. In the video, a soldier can be seen paying tribute to the heroic dog. The soldier says:"I want to tell you that I am proud of you because you were always a strong dog, a hardworking dog that never gave up."View on TikTokTurkish graphic designer Burak Türker also shared an Instagram post that read (translated via Google):"Thanks for everything Proteo. We are grateful to you for finding our voice, our brothers and our loved ones. We will never forget you.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSoon after, the post went viral, and #Proteo started trending on Twitter. Netizens thanked the rescue dog for his services and called him a hero.Asaad Sam Hanna@AsaadHannaaProteo is a Mexican dog, flew all the way from Mexico to help find the bodies under the rubble in Turkey after the earthquake.Proteo died in duty after a roof collapsed on the team.Thank you Proteo446139Proteo is a Mexican dog, flew all the way from Mexico to help find the bodies under the rubble in Turkey after the earthquake.Proteo died in duty after a roof collapsed on the team.Thank you Proteo https://t.co/IJUTZPeFRqAminollah Faisal@AminollahFaisal Mexican rescue dog #Proteo died of exhaustion during rescue activities in #TurkeyAccording to the testimonies he helped rescue at least two individualsA picture of his last rest before he goes in peace Thoughts to all the heroes from around the world#earthquaketurkey475102🇹🇷🇲🇽 Mexican rescue dog #Proteo died of exhaustion during rescue activities in #TurkeyAccording to the testimonies he helped rescue at least two individualsA picture of his last rest before he goes in peace Thoughts to all the heroes from around the world#earthquaketurkey https://t.co/s29BGdSakyTansu YEĞEN@TansuYegenAfter the earthquakes in Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the earthquake, the dog named Proteo, who worked with the team that Mexico sent to Turkey, was left under the rubble of the building that collapsed on him while he was searching110631873After the earthquakes in Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the earthquake, the dog named Proteo, who worked with the team that Mexico sent to Turkey, was left under the rubble of the building that collapsed on him while he was searching🙏 https://t.co/nNGibMRXgXHayvanlarla İlgili Bilgiler@hayvanbilgiIeriProteo 198221592Proteo 🇹🇷🇲🇽❤️ https://t.co/Rz8rZQYSZEKAAN 🇹🇷🇯🇵@Kaanalmak12@m_ebrard Mexico's famous search and rescue dog #Proteo lost its life during rescue activities. I have heard that Proteo helped rescue two people in the area. I'm so sorry about Proteo's death #TürkiyeMexcico #earthquaketurkey #TerremotoTurquia951179@m_ebrard Mexico's famous search and rescue dog #Proteo lost its life during rescue activities. I have heard that Proteo helped rescue two people in the area. I'm so sorry about Proteo's death 😢🇹🇷💔🇲🇽 #TürkiyeMexcico #earthquaketurkey #TerremotoTurquia https://t.co/2iNZ8F3coNThe Oval Pawffice® 🇺🇸 DOTUS Fans@TheOvalPawffice Proteo, the bestest, sweetest boy, went all the way from Mexico to Turkey to rescue hoomans and worked so hard to help. A few days ago he lost his life, after he was trapped under a falling structure. If there is a god, we have some questions. We are heartbroken. #Earthquake140101355🐾💔 Proteo, the bestest, sweetest boy, went all the way from Mexico to Turkey to rescue hoomans and worked so hard to help. A few days ago he lost his life, after he was trapped under a falling structure. If there is a god, we have some questions. We are heartbroken. #Earthquake https://t.co/xNloMZiCRYNdrewsTjan®️@NdrewsTjanThank you Proteo 12.02.2023Dog have always been man's best friend2236394Thank you Proteo 12.02.2023Dog have always been man's best friend https://t.co/JDruiBMqljPubity@PubityIGProteo flew from Mexico to help rescue Turkish earthquake victims and worked tirelessly for days. Sadly he lost his life today after being trapped under a falling building.Rip🕊️72565Proteo flew from Mexico to help rescue Turkish earthquake victims and worked tirelessly for days. Sadly he lost his life today after being trapped under a falling building.Rip🕊️💔 https://t.co/MitCXHhdy2Puperet@g_boronatThe earthquake in Turkey took more than just buildings and homes, it took a hero. #Proteo, a Mexican search and rescue dog, gave his life for others. He didn't think twice about risking everything to save those trapped beneath the rubble.494123The earthquake in Turkey took more than just buildings and homes, it took a hero. #Proteo, a Mexican search and rescue dog, gave his life for others. He didn't think twice about risking everything to save those trapped beneath the rubble. https://t.co/wtudbP8zKUNdrewsTjan®️@NdrewsTjanSomeone made this. IF YOU ARE ALONE WITH THE SUN, JUST RUNNING IN THE FIELDS DON'T WORRY.WHAT YOU DO IN LIFE, IT ALREADY BRINGS YOU TO HEAVEN, TO ETERNITY.#Proteo #ProteoHeroe1352306Someone made this😭. IF YOU ARE ALONE WITH THE SUN, JUST RUNNING IN THE FIELDS DON'T WORRY.WHAT YOU DO IN LIFE, IT ALREADY BRINGS YOU TO HEAVEN, TO ETERNITY.#Proteo #ProteoHeroe https://t.co/i6Yr6MBzIELast week, Mexico dispatched more than a dozen rescue dogs along with 130 military personnel after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed more than 35,000 people in Turkey and Syria.