Police Officer Nabs PETA Award for Daring Dog Rescue

For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2023

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Action Award is on the way from PETA to Officer Jason DaSilva of the Ossining Police Department, who sprang into action on April 13 to rescue a dog named Cujo from an apartment fire on Croton Avenue. Braving heavy smoke, DaSilva ran into the building to save Cujo, who was trapped behind a gate in a room on the third floor of the building.

“Ossining is lucky to have such compassionate first responders who don’t hesitate to help humans or any other animals in need,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA hopes Officer DaSilva’s selflessness and quick thinking will inspire others to step in and take action whenever an animal is in danger.”

DaSilva was the first on the scene of the apartment fire, when residents told him Cujo was trapped three stories up. Neighbors had tried to enter the apartment, since his guardian was at work, but the smoke was too thick. After rescuing the dog, DaSilva gave him water and kept him safe in his patrol car until his guardian arrived.

This is the second time the Ossining Police Department has earned kudos from PETA for being heroes to animals. In 2018, it received a Compassionate Police Department Award after Officer Patrick McGovern rescued a chicken from a fire.

DaSilva will receive a framed certificate and a box of delicious animal-shaped vegan chocolates from Divine Treasures.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.