Five Young Animals Trapped Inside Concrete Irrigation Pipe Pulled to Safety by Compassionate First Responders
For Immediate Release:
September 15, 2011
Contact:
Kristin Richards 202-483-7382
Yuma, Ariz. -- When dispatchers Melissa Velasquez and Brandy McCleaf received a report from a local resident that a litter of puppies had become stuck in an irrigation pipe, they wasted no time getting a team from the Rural/Metro Fire Department to the Yuma property. The firefighters—Capt. Curt Calaway, Derek Teeter, and Sean Snyder—jumped into action to retrieve the frightened young animals. After pulling one puppy out using a pole and a citrus picker, the firefighters determined that the safest course of action for the others would be to cut a hole in the concrete pipe and pull them to safety. They did just that, and all five puppies, along with their mother, were surrendered to the humane society. For working diligently to save the young animals, the Rural/Metro Fire Department will receive PETA's Compassionate Fire Department Award.
"These firefighters showed a lot of know-how and compassion in saving the lives of these five lucky puppies," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Yuma is very fortunate to have first responders who are ready to protect and serve not only human residents but also homeless dogs."
The department will receive a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation from PETA.
Although this incident had a happy ending, not all homeless cats and dogs are so lucky. Many starve to death, die of untreated illnesses or injuries, get hit by vehicles, or fall prey to animal abusers. That's why PETA encourages people to help fight animal homelessness by always having their cats and dogs spayed and neutered.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.