Heroic Dog Nabs Award for Saving Guardian, Friends From House Fire

PETA Celebrates Bear the Dog for Alerting Sleeping Humans to Burning Home

For Immediate Release:
June 12, 2017

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A Heroic Dog Award is on its way from PETA to animal guardian Annie Geiger for her 7-year-old German shepherd, Bear, who saved five children and three adults from a house fire around 2 a.m. on June 5. As smoke started to engulf Geiger’s home, Bear woke up and roused family friends sleeping downstairs, who were then able to alert the others in the house. Everyone managed to escape safely, and Geiger put out the fire with an extinguisher. Arson is suspected.

“Bear sensed that something was wrong, and he didn’t rest until he’d nudged people awake as the house filled with smoke,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “There’s no doubt that he saved his family’s and friends’ lives, and PETA encourages anyone with the ability and resources to save a companion animal’s life by adopting from a local shelter.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—encourages all guardians to watch its fire-safety PSA (available here) and to put a sign on their doors or windows to alert rescue workers to the presence of dogs, cats, and other animal companions. Families can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own.

PETA is sending Geiger a framed certificate and a letter of congratulations, along with a “doggie bag” of toys and vegan treats for Bear to enjoy.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.