Austin Fire Department Receives PETA Award for Rescuing Dog From Fire

Rescue Workers Used Special Oxygen Mask to Revive Unconscious Canine

For Immediate Release:
July 29, 2013

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Austin, Texas — On Wednesday, July 24, the Austin Fire Department responded to a blaze in an apartment on E. Poquito Street. Each of the eight human residents who were home at the time managed to escape, but a dog named Layla suffered from smoke inhalation and remained inside, trapped in a crate. Firefighter David Dickerson and his comrades pulled her to safety and used a special oxygen mask designed for dogs and cats to revive her. She is expected to make a full recovery.

For the firefighters’ heroic efforts to save Layla, the Austin Fire Department will receive PETA’s Compassionate Fire Department Award.

“Austin’s firefighters are truly heroes because they don’t consider their job done until all residents—both human and nonhuman—have made it to safety,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA hopes the compassion and know-how shown by these firefighters will inspire others always to come to the aid of animals in need and that this near-tragedy will serve as a reminder not to crate your animal companions.”

PETA encourages all animal guardians to place a sign on doors or windows to alert rescue workers to the presence of dogs and cats—and not to crate them. Families can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own at home.

The Austin Fire Department will receive a framed certificate, a letter of appreciation, and a box of delicious vegan cookies from PETA.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.