U.S. Coast Guard Team Nets PETA Award for Saving Dog Trapped in Shipping Container
For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2024
Contact:
Brittney Williams 202-483-7382
A Compassionate Action Award is on its way from PETA to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston in recognition of the marine inspectors who rescued a dog trapped in a shipping container at the Port Houston Bayport Container Terminal on January 31.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan McMahon and his team—including Petty Officer 1st Class Lucas Loe, Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Wainscott, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Jose Reyes—were performing routine inspections at the terminal when they heard barking coming from a container stacked about 25 feet in the air. A crane was used to bring the container to the ground, and a dog—who they later nicknamed Connie the container dog—jumped out. It was determined that she had been trapped for at least eight days, with no food or water.
Connie was taken to an animal shelter. U.S. Coast Guard officials believe that she was most likely in a car at a junkyard when she was accidentally put into the container. McMahon said, “We know with all this, she’s going to go to a good home where they will love her and take care of her.”
“This lucky dog would likely have died scared, starved, and alone if it were not for the quick action and compassion of these U.S. Coast Guard members,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA hopes these rescuers’ bravery will inspire people everywhere to always come to the aid of animals in need.”
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston will receive a framed certificate and vegan chocolates from PETA.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram.
