Virginia Beach Firefighters Nab PETA Award for Saving Dog From House Fire

‘We’re Here for All Life’: Firefighter Brady Ramstad Braved Thick Smoke to Scoop Up Scared Dog

For Immediate Release:
December 26, 2017

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Fire Department Award is on its way from PETA to the Virginia Beach Fire Department, which responded to a fire at a townhouse in the 300 block of Pratt Court on December 19. After learning from the homeowner that her dog was still in the house, firefighter Brady Ramstad ran inside and searched through the heavy smoke until he found the dog, cowering behind a curtain in the bathroom—uninjured but scared. He scooped up the animal and carried him outside to safety and into the arms of his relieved guardian. “I’m just doing the job that any other firefighter would have done,” he said about the rescue. “We’re here for all life.”

“A little dog was spared a horrible death because of this brave firefighter’s commitment to helping anyone in strife, regardless of species,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA is recognizing the Virginia Beach Fire Department for its kindness and quick action, which will hopefully inspire people everywhere to come to the aid of animals in need.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—encourages all animal guardians to watch PETA’s fire-safety video and to put a sign on their doors or windows in order to alert rescue workers to the presence of dogs, cats, and other animal companions. Families can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own.

The fire department will receive a package of the fire-alert stickers, 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.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

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