A frantic two-day search for missing chow chow Kiko ended in relief on the afternoon of 9 December, when a migrant worker climbed into a deep drain along Mar Thoma Road and carried the 28kg dog out with his bare hands.
This morning (10 December), Kiko’s owner Matthew Teh updated the Telegram search group with new information:
the man who rescued Kiko — known as Delower — is not just a passer-by, but a close family friend of six years with a long-standing bond with their dogs.
“He didn’t do it for the reward,” Matthew wrote, “but even though he’s a friend, we will still be giving him the full amount that was promised.”
Matthew’s Latest Update: Rescuer Is Their Family Friend, Not a Stranger
In a message posted to the almost-800-member Telegram group this morning, Matthew wrote:
**“Good morning everyone!
I’m so happy to share that Kiko is doing well and has returned to his usual self.I’ve noticed many of you were curious about the reward, so I’d like to address it here.
The person who found Kiko is a close family friend of six years. The moment he heard what happened, he rushed down to help because he has a wonderful relationship with our dogs, and we were hoping familiar voices and faces would comfort Kiko.
Even though he didn’t do it for the reward, and even though he’s a friend, we will still be giving him the full amount that was promised. He was the one who directly brought Kiko back to safety, and we are incredibly grateful for what he did.
Thank you all for the support, love, and concern throughout this whole ordeal. 💛🐾”**
When another member asked for the hero’s name, Matthew replied: “His name is Delower.”
He added that he will be meeting Delower later today.
Questions From the Group Highlighted the Heroic Feat
Group members were stunned at how Delower managed the rescue:
- “how did the guy get kiko out of the drain? it seems quite high 😅”
- “i thought kiko is shy so he wouldnt respond to people.. how did the guy manage to coax kiko to him? he is truly amazing for that ❤️”
- “he carried kiko out of the drain single handedly 😭😭”
- “around 28 kg, not easy to carry”
Delower’s act — climbing in, lifting the dog by himself, and bringing him to safety — became the emotional centre of the rescue efforts.
Timeline: From Escape to Rescue
Dec 7, Night — Kiko’s Escape Informed
Kiko’s owners, who were overseas in Vietnam, received a call from Woofworks around 8pm informing them that their 5-year-old chow chow had gone missing.
Woofworks later explained that Kiko slipped out during an event after “an exit wasn’t secured properly by a visiting guest.”
Dec 7, Afternoon — Spotted Running on the CTE
Earlier that afternoon, a dashcam video posted on Singapore Road Vigilante (SGRV) showed a chow chow weaving among traffic on the CTE.
Cars stopped as he crossed lanes. The clip suggested he may have been bumped lightly.
Dec 7–8 — Family Flies Home Early, Search Intensifies
Unable to sleep, the Teh family cut short their Vietnam trip and flew back to Singapore on 8 December, three days ahead of schedule.
Missing posters offering $1,000 were circulated online and pasted around Mar Thoma Road.
A Telegram group titled “Search for Kiko” was created by a member of the public, rapidly growing to 800 volunteers who checked drains, back lanes, carparks, and parks on foot and by car.
On the night of 8 December, Matthew updated the group that Kiko had been spotted near the CTE at 6 Mar Thoma Road.
Dec 9, Morning — Reward Raised to $5,000
As the search stretched into its second night, Matthew posted a new missing poster to the Telegram group, raising the reward to $5,000.
Dec 9, 3:17pm — “WE FOUND KIKO”
A family member suddenly posted in all caps:
“WE FOUND KIKO”
Kiko had been spotted walking inside a drain at 8 Mar Thoma Road.
A migrant worker — now identified as Delower — climbed down and carried him out.
Photos and videos shared shortly after showed Kiko standing safely beside Delower, uninjured and walking normally.
The family rushed down with Kiko’s favourite treat: fresh durian.
A family member later told the group:
“He carried Kiko out of the drain single-handedly.”
They also confirmed that Delower had been helping put up missing posters in the search area.
Family’s Thank-You to the Public
Following the rescue, a Teh family message in the group read:
“hello all, we are deeply grateful for everyone’s help. it is insane we were able to reach so many people and everyone was so willing to help😭 we wouldnt have done it without yall 🫶🏻
we are sending him to the vet now and we will give u guys updates. as of now, kiko has eaten abit of durian and drank lots of water 😭”
Community, Migrant Worker, and Social Media Came Together
The large-scale search saw Singaporeans, residents, and animal lovers combing Whampoa, Mar Thoma Road, and Serangoon Road for nearly 48 hours. Many volunteers said they had never met the family before.
Animal welfare pages also helped amplify the search, including local accounts like @rescuewithlovesg, which shares updates on missing pets and animals in need.
Kiko Is Safe — And His Hero Will Still Receive the Reward
Though Delower is a long-time family friend who rushed down out of concern for Kiko, Matthew emphasised that the promise made to the public will be honoured fully.
The family will give him the full $5,000 reward, describing him as the person “who directly brought Kiko back to safety.”
Kiko is now back home, well, hydrated, and eating durian again — thanks to a community’s effort and one migrant worker’s fearless leap into a drain.
At the same time, community members are helping take down the missing posters.
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
NUTRIPE Launches “Paws For A Cause” – An Art Movement Giving Shelter Dogs a Second Chance
A Selfless Act: Migrant Worker Jumps From Lorry to Remove Road Hazard
Singaporean-Run JB Animal Shelter Issues Urgent Appeal as Donations Run Critically Low
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