Heroic Firefighters Bring Unresponsive Animal 'Back to Life'
For Immediate Release:
October 10, 2012
Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382
Arlington, Texas -- On October 7, Arlington firefighters responded to a house fire in north Arlington and learned that a dog and a cat were trapped inside. While some firefighters battled the blaze, others looked for the animals. They found the dog, Leah, who wasn't breathing. They rushed her outside and immediately fitted her with an oxygen mask designed especially for dogs, cats, and other small animals. After the firefighters exhausted five bottles of oxygen and administered repeated resuscitation treatments, Leah suddenly regained consciousness. She was taken to a veterinarian and is reportedly doing fine. Unfortunately, although having also received resuscitation treatment, the cat did not survive.
For successfully bringing Leah "back to life" and attempting to save the family's cat, the Arlington Fire Department will receive PETA's Compassionate Fire Department Award.
"Arlington's bravest are also some of Arlington's kindest," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "We hope the rescue workers' preparedness, perseverance, and compassion will inspire others always to come to the aid of animals in need."
The fire department will receive a framed certificate, a letter of appreciation, and a box of vegan chocolates.
All Arlington battalion chiefs and ladder trucks carry various sizes of animal resuscitation masks.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.