Girl, 4, Reunited With Beloved Dog Mollie After Complicated Rescue

For Immediate Release:
October 22, 2009

Contact:
Ashley Byrne 757-274-9675
David Perle 202-483-7382, ext. 2194

Olar, S.C. -- Volunteer firefighter Dwight Williams is a hero in this town of 250 after rescuing a family's much-loved dog, Mollie. Williams climbed down a ladder more than 30 feet--the equivalent of three stories--into a dry well to retrieve Mollie and then carried her back up, much to the delight of Mollie's best friend, 4-year-old Olivia.

Now PETA has given Williams its "One Can Make a Difference" Award. The award takes its name from PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk's 2008 book of the same name. The book is a compilation of more than 50 thought-provoking, original essays written by a variety of people, from Willie Nelson and Mickey Rourke to His Holiness The Dalai Lama to "everyday heroes" who have had a positive impact on the world.

"Mollie and her family are lucky to live in a town that has volunteer firefighters who are so ready and willing to do whatever it takes when it comes to rescuing any individual in trouble," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch.

Dwight Williams will receive a thank-you card signed by PETA staffers, a framed certificate, and a personalized copy of Newkirk's book One Can Make a Difference.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.