SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Seuk Kim, a volunteer for Pilots N Paws, crashed his plane at Windham High Peak on November 24. On board with him were three dogs from a high-kill shelter.
The 49-year-old was flying Lisa, Pluto, and Whiskey from Maryland to Albany. The pups would have then been picked up by the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County. Kim volunteered for the program dozens of times.
"For us, dozens [of animals]," said Maggie Jackman Pryor, Executive Director of the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County. "For Pilots N Paws, hundreds and hundreds [of animals]. Not only dogs but cats."
Jackman Pryor met Kim a few times and told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski that he always had a smile on his face. "He would hand the dogs down to us and Seuk would always give each of them a kiss and say, 'Have a good life.'"
Kim leaves behind his wife and three children. One of the dogs, Lisa, also passed away. Two of the pups survived.
"Pluto had escaped the plane and was actually out running. When the rescue efforts began, he must have heard people and he came back," described Jackman Pryor.
After a checkup, Pluto, the Yorkie/Terrier mix came to the shelter with just some bruises. His friend Whiskey, a Lab mix, was found at the crash site in the snow with his back legs broken. Jackman Pryor drove Whiskey all the way to the Pieper Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Connecticut; a 5-hour round trip. It was the closest place to do the surgery as soon as possible.
Whiskey is doing well but the shelter is now out thousands of dollars. "We've been given estimates of around $20,000. They said it could go as high as $30,000 for his care beyond surgery."
Pluto has a foster home ready to take him while Whiskey will be placed sometime after he is picked up from Connecticut over the weekend. The shelter is accepting adoption applications for both dogs and foster applications for Whiskey.
Anyone looking to help Mr. Kim's family can click here. To donate towards Whiskey and Pluto's medical bills, click here.
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