14 Dogs Die In Pack Rat’s House Fire
In Riverside, CA 14 Lhasa Apsos died of smoke inhalation when a fire broke out in the house of a hoarder. The firefighters couldn’t get to the fire in the kitchen and porch because clutter blocked their way. The house was filled from floor to ceiling with junk making it hard to get to the dogs who were all caged in a room.
This is such a sad story because it was so unnecessary, those dogs should not have died. Obviously this person was a hoarder so there were other issues going on, but it’s so important to know about fire safety.
A few days ago I posted about the dogs that set fire to their mobile home, in the article I included a link to some fire safety tips. After reading this story I’ve decided to repost them for everyone to see. Here are some great tips from VPI Insurance.
It’s a fact: a fire could destroy your home at any time, particularly by misuse of space heaters in the winter, or by a natural fire in the summer. Most families have evacuation plans that include their pets. If you haven’t created a plan, consider making one today.
To start, check the batteries in your smoke alarms to be sure they’re working. Then designate one human family member who would be responsible for each pet. Other steps to keep your pets safe in case of fire include:
Alert Firefighters To Indoor Pets:
Place a Pet Rescue Fire Safety Sticker in your window. These stickers, which are available free from most pet stores and non-profit humane organizations, stick to your front window and tell firefighters to “Please rescue my pets!” They let fire crews know that you have pets inside the house, how many, and what kind.
Since owners are often not home when fires occur, these stickers have saved many pet lives. Go to the ASPCA site to request a free pet safety pack.
Keep Outdoor Pets Away From Danger:
Keep pet houses or pens away from brushy areas. Fire departments will warn you to clear dry brush away from your home, but that also applies to your pets.
If you have a doghouse or a pen for a rabbit, pot-bellied pig or other outdoor pet, make sure it’s at least 20 feet away from any brush that could possibly become fuel in a fire. That way, you’ll have time to go out and rescue your pet if such a fire does threaten your property.
Always evacuate your pets on a leash or in a pet carrier. Pets will panic at the smell of smoke, and may bolt when outside, making them impossible to find.
Locate Your Pet’s Hideaway:
Keep Your Pets Safe From FireKnow their hiding places. Remember, during a fire, your pets will be terrified, and they’ll most likely run to in the places they feel most safe. If you don’t know their common hiding places, you could run out of time to save your friend.
Find all the best cubbyholes and niches, map them out on a piece of paper, and include the map in your fire escape plan.
Have An Emergency Kit On Hand:
Prepare an emergency kit for each pet. The kit should contain some of your pet’s food, his veterinary paperwork, prescription medications, if any, and photo/description of your pet. You may have to board your pet at a kennel or other facility until you get settled after a fire, and they will require proof that your pet has current vaccinations.
Secure Your Pet During Danger:
Always evacuate your pets on a leash or in a pet carrier. Just as with fireworks, pets will panic at the smell of smoke, and they may bolt when outside, making them impossible to find. Put your dog on a leash; you can carry a cat in a carrier.
Create An Open Access:
Leave an outside door open. If you must evacuate and can’t find your pet in the house, leave a door open that leads to the outside, and then call the pet’s name once you get out. With luck, he’ll hear you and head for your voice, although this works better for dogs than cats. Be prepared; he’ll be panicked. Be sure to have a designated meeting place near your home for everyone to meet so everyone will be accounted for away from the fire.
With a little planning, you can ensure that everyone on two and four legs will be safe in case there is a fire in your home. For more information about pet fire safety, visit the Humane Society.
There are no pictures with this story so I’m featuring Tater, he’s on Dogster’s Dog Adoption & Rescue Center.
I had never heard of the Place a Pet Rescue Fire Safety Sticker before. With 3 dogs in the house, it sounds like a great idea.
Chris
Very sad story. Those poor little babies. Thanks for passing on these excellent fire safety tips. I have one of these stickers on a window right beside my front door. They’re free for the asking.
As a former firefighter..I can’t tell you how many times people have been confused as to the where abouts of their pets in an emergency…these are excellent tips and be sure to post a notice on each door to let firefighters know you have pets.
UPDATE: This is so sad, just found out a second fire started later and when firefighters went back they discovered 11 more dogs, making a total of 25 dead dogs.
“The second fire, a rekindling of the first blaze, broke out at 4:17 Wednesday morning. After knocking down the flames, firefighters discovered 11 more dogs dead from the smoke.” Los Angeles Times
i think this is a complete waste!!! this guy should b held responsible for these poor innocent dogs deaths. he created a hazard for everyone…he blocked the way in, nobody even had a chance to get to these dogs because he blocked the way in.. plus..he had all them poor dogs locked up in cages…they had no chance..they couldn’t even try & run out cause they were locked up in cages… its disgusting if u ask me & makes me sick… these dogs suffered before they died, nobody can tell me they didn’t… its just a shame, just a plain waste & he should b locked up for this… has for the other fire story that the “dogs” set, people shouldn’t go out & leave food out…anywhere.. but u don’t leave your home & leave food on the stove with dogs there. i mean, we all love our pets here & consider them to b our “kids”(i know i do) but fact is, they r dogs & r going to get that food… not the dogs faults, its the owners… they r to blame for this. all i have to say for now, this story really has me upset… sorry… take care all… luv droopy & her mommie
This is so sad. 14 dogs living with this person and locked up in one room, I’m betting the hording wasn’t the worst part. My heart goes out to those dogs. Thanks for sharing the fire safety tips!!
This is so horrible, no one who has that much stuff packed into their home should have animals of any kind. Those pet stickers can be wonderful, but often times if you have pets that aren’t dogs or cats you have to modify and make your own so they include your other, equally important animal family members
So sad. Poor puppy’s.Great fire saftey tip’s.
We have those pet stickers on both our windows in front of the house, and one on the back door. Anyhow, it’s absolutely tragic that, in fact, twenty-five dogs were killed by these fires. Those poor, sweet babies — there’s no justifying what this person has done; even that hoarding cannot and will not be justified in my book! Perhaps I’m being dramatic, but I think this is reason enough to be dramatic. -sighs- It’s such a shame. Poor little things. This person should be put in jail; for hoarding those poor babies, and then allowing them to die within the place! Of course, obviously it would’ve been difficult to get them out in the first place, but as far as I’m concerned, this person would probably rather have the dogs die than their hoarding discovered.
I’m sorry if I’ve expressed my feelings too… fully, but this is unbearable, such a terrible thing.
Thank you for giving us such great tips, though! Clearly needed.
oh, poor babies…that just reminded me of this fire that happened right across from us on new year’s eve, on the other side of our creek…there were three dogs in this shed which was where the fire was, and the owners had left a heat lamp in there. apparently the dogs knocked it over and started the fire and they died, probably burned to death.