Bailong, a seven-year-old white horse, tragically passed away after falling ill just days following her act of heroism in China. The horse, ‘White Dragon’, had never been in water but jumped into a river to save a drowning man without hesitation. The rescue took place on February 4 in Xiantao, Hubei province, while Bailong’s owner, Yilibai, was training him by the river. They witnessed a man who fell off a bridge, causing his daughter to cry out for assistance. Yilibai immediately rode Bailong into the water, and even though it was risky, Bailong swam more than 40 meters to rescue the man. Yilibai grasped the reins in one hand and dragged the drowning man with the other, a rescue that was caught on a viral video.
Only six days after that, Bailong became ill. The horse ceased to eat and defecate, got a high fever, and died on February 11 despite veterinary care. Yilibai, distraught, cried out, “Bailong and I have gone through a lot of things together. Don’t mention it in front of me. If you mention it, I will cry.”
The rescued man felt deep remorse for the sacrifice of Bailong. Yilibai thought back on the rescue, declaring, “Bailong is clever. When I saddled it with a whip, he knew to head into the water. After watching me pull the man out of the water who was drowning, he turned and swam away. My horse and I are family. I trust him, and he trusts me.”
To commemorate the courage of Bailong, the government of Xiantao City has announced to build a statue close to the river where the heroic act was committed.
