Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Wins PETA Award for Saving Rabbits

First Responders Save Woman Trapped on Second Floor of Burning House, Revive Rabbit Using Special Oxygen Mask

For Immediate Release:
December 7, 2012

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Last Sunday morning, members of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue saved a woman and four rabbits who were trapped inside a burning house on Sedgewood Drive in suburban Boynton Beach. Using a ladder to reach a second-floor window, the firefighters located all the building's occupants and brought them to safety—and when rescuers noticed that one of the rabbits was suffering from smoke inhalation, they used an oxygen mask specially designed for animals to revive him.

For their successful and heroic rescue of every occupant of the burning house, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue will receive PETA's Compassionate Fire Department Award.

"The members of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue demonstrated compassion and know-how in rescuing these four rabbits," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "The county is very fortunate to have first responders who are ready to protect and serve both human residents and their beloved animal companions."

The fire department will receive a framed certificate, a letter of appreciation, and a box of vegan chocolates from PETA.

This isn't the first time that a Palm Beach County fire department has won a PETA award. In 2010, both West Palm Beach Fire Rescue and the West Palm Beach Police Department received PETA's Compassionate Action Award for rescuing a kitten who was trapped near the engine compartment of a pickup truck.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.