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Hero dog saves kittens from house blaze
Monday, 27 October 2008
Forget fighting like cats and dogs, this was more like fire-fighting.
Family pooch Leo risked his life to save a litter of newborn kittens from flames engulfing a house and was hailed as a hero by Australian fire brigade.
Leo's owners, a family of four, had escaped from their blazing home in Melbourne, with a second dog. But Leo, a jack russell cross, refused to leave the building. Believing one person unaccounted for, firemen entered the house, where they found him standing guard over the kittens despite the thick, acrid smoke.
Outside, Leo, who had lost consciousness and stopped breathing, was revived, with rescuers giving him oxygen and a heart massage. The kittens, in a cardboard box in a bedroom, also needed treatment.
Ken Brown, a fire service commander, said yesterday: "Leo wouldn't leave the kittens, and it nearly cost him his life." He said the family were relieved to be reunited with all their pets. "Everyone's fine," he said. "We rescued everyone."
There was no smoke alarm in the house, and officials said the family was lucky to be alive. An 11-year-old girl suffered smoke inhalation and was treated by paramedics. She had been at home with her mother and two brothers, aged five and 18, when the fire started in the front room. The cause has not been established, but police are treating it as suspicious.
And Leo has a new nickname: Smoky.
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Leo you're a true little hero. I hope you and 'your' kittens are just fine. What a treasure -x-
Posted by christine | 04.01.09, 00:09 GMT
Several months ago, my dear old mastiff, a rescue dog, saved my life when a bear attacked me. No matter what one might think about our animal friends, they possess a nobility just as powerful as our human "heroes."
Hug your pet!
Bless all,
a
Posted by ahansen | 29.10.08, 02:02 GMT
What a lovely little dog to such a kind thing.
I'm so glad he and the kittens are ok.
Leo really is a true little hero.
Posted by Louise | 27.10.08, 22:55 GMT
Thank you for sharing this touching story. It brings tears to my eyes.
Posted by Sam | 27.10.08, 19:00 GMT
God bless this wee dog ,its a real hero im glad everyone was ok .They say a dog is a mans best friend and the rest of the animal kingdom aswell.
Posted by HAZEL | 27.10.08, 17:32 GMT
Well done Leo. What a brave dog and what a lucky family. God bless them all and keep them safe. So lovely to hear something as good as this
Posted by Ann | 27.10.08, 15:48 GMT
In these days if too much bad news, this story made me cry, how a dog can be so smart to do something a human probably would not have the instinck to do just makes me hug my dogs even more, to think that he knew to stay with them, till help came, and in doing that almost cost him his life. horrah for the firefighters for there actions to save him with oxygen and heart message, this is
GREAT...not to mention also that they were able to revive the kittens......what a great story, I love it!!!!!!!
Posted by annette | 27.10.08, 15:02 GMT
Amazing story. Great to see a news item like this thats brings a smile to your face. :D
Posted by Liam | 27.10.08, 14:14 GMT
Oh Leo, you have touched my heart :)
I Love cats and kittens dearly, but today and always
I love you and dogs to!
This is a story that I will never forget!
I am so happy that everyone got out of this alive.
God Bless this family and their pets.
Posted by Billie Bryant | 27.10.08, 12:49 GMT