Sacramento Firefighters Receive PETA Award for Rescuing Shivering Puppy

Abandoned Pup Left Tied Up in Cold Rain Brought Safely Back to the Firehouse

For Immediate Release:
October 21, 2016

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Fire Department Award is on its way from PETA to the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) in recognition of Engine 14’s rescue on Sunday of a shivering puppy left tied with rope to piping outside in the rain. The firefighters brought the 2-month-old pup—now named Chunkie—back to the firehouse, warmed her up with a bath, and then took her to a local animal shelter to receive treatment for mange. On Thursday, firefighter Mike Thawley took her home to foster her.

“These kind firefighters didn’t hesitate to step in and save this shivering, lonely puppy and get her the care that she badly needed,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA encourages caring people to take this story as inspiration to come to the aid of animals in need.”

This isn’t the first time that the SFD has received a Compassionate Fire Department Award from PETA—in July 2015, it was awarded for its rescue of a dog left inside a car during dangeriously hot weather. PETA is sending Engine 14 a framed certificate, a box of delicious vegan cookies, and a copy of The Engine 2 Diet—a Texas firefighter’s 28-day plan for staying in prime firefighting shape by eating plant-based meals. PETA is also sending Chunkie a get-well “doggie bag” containing a blanket, an eco-friendly squeaky toy, and vegan dog treats.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—notes that every year, countless animals are abandoned to fend for themselves outdoors, where they may endure sweltering heat and bone-chilling cold, get hit by cars, or face other life-threatening dangers. More than 6 million unwanted dogs and cats enter U.S. animal shelters every year, and roughly half are euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them. The best way to combat the companion-animal overpopulation crisis is to have animals spayed or neutered and adopt from local shelters instead of buying from pet stores or breeders.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.