Aurora Firefighters Nab PETA Award for Saving Dogs From House Fire

Brave Firefighters Navigated Flames, Thick Smoke to Rescue Beloved Companions

For Immediate Release:
March 30, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Fire Department Award is on its way from PETA to Aurora Fire Rescue, which responded to a house fire on S. Salida Court on the afternoon of March 22. With the human family members safe outside, the firefighters entered the burning home and searched through the heavy smoke until they found the family’s two dogs—one was uninjured in the basement and another was unconscious from smoke inhalation under a bed upstairs. The firefighters quickly resuscitated the unconscious animal using a pet oxygen mask before rushing her to a nearby animal hospital to recover for the night—and they even donated money to help the family foot the bill.

“These compassionate firefighters acted quickly to get these two animals out of harm’s way, and they even managed to bring an unconscious dog back from the brink,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA is recognizing the Aurora Fire Rescue team for showing bravery, care, and generosity, which we hope will inspire people everywhere to come to the aid of animals in need.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—reminds all animal guardians never to leave animals behind in an evacuation. Families are encouraged to watch PETA’s fire-safety video and to post signs on their doors or windows in order to alert rescue workers to the presence of dogs, cats, and other animal companions in the home. Guardians can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own.

The fire department will receive a package of PETA’s fire-alert stickers, a framed certificate, an award letter, a box of delicious vegan cookies, and a copy of The Engine 2 Diet—a Texas firefighter’s 28-day plan for staying in prime firefighting shape by eating vegan meals.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.