Gatineau Man Receives PETA Award for Heroic Rescue of Dog

Good Samaritan Charged Into Burning Building, Pulled Caged Dog to Safety

For Immediate Release:
February 2, 2011

Contact:
Kristin Richards 757-622-7382

Gatineau, Québec — On January 28, Gatineau resident Mark Greenaway was walking his dog when he noticed his neighbors standing outside their apartment building in the cold. Sensing that something was wrong, Greenaway unhesitatingly kicked in the door of the first apartment and noticed that there was a fire in the kitchen. He ran from room to room, searching for anyone inside. He did the same in the second apartment, where he found a large dog locked in a cage. Greenaway dragged the cage into the living room, forced open the cage door, and got the dog safely outside. For his heroic deed, Greenaway will receive PETA's Compassionate Action Award.

It turns out that Greenaway acted just in the nick of time. Despite the best efforts of more than 50 firefighters from Gatineau and Ottawa, the apartment building and at least one other couldn't be saved.

PETA points out that this story is yet another reason why dogs should not be confined to crates. Besides cruelly depriving dogs of the freedom to walk around, the opportunity to relieve themselves, and the ability to stretch out, locking animals in crates also puts them at risk, making it impossible for them to escape from fire, smoke, and other imminent threats.  

"Thanks to the heroic actions of Mark Greenaway, a dog who nearly suffered a terrifying and painful death is alive and well," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Greenaway's heroism is a compelling reminder that all members of the family—including dogs, cats, and other animals—deserve help in an emergency."

Greenaway will receive a framed certificate and delicious vegan chocolates.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.