Crime & Safety

Firefighters Step Up to Save Dog

The critter was struggling to breathe when Tampa Fire Rescue crews arrived.

Tampa Fire Rescue crews don’t just save people from burning buildings. They’re also willing to rush in to save our-legged critters now and again.

Firefighters did just that Saturday evening when a fire broke out at a home in the 9400 block of North 13th Street. When crews arrived on the scene around 5:20 p.m., they found the blaze extinguished but discovered a dog in need of a rescue.

“Firefighters found the family dog under a bed blind and struggling to breathe as a result of the smoke,” an email from fire rescue spokesman Jason Penny to media stated. “Firefighters from Engine Company 13 retrieved the animal and began administering oxygen using a special mask designed for canines.”

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It only took a few moments for the dog to begin to recovering and start breathing on its own normally, Penny said.

Before long, it was “wagging its tail and was happily returned to the grateful family.”

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Penny did not know the breed or name of the dog, but was happy to report there were no other injuries.

Photos courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue

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