LAFD Animal Rescue Deserves Nothing But Praise
Friday’s rescue of a dog trapped in the Los Angeles River has sparked furious debate. The real-life drama, in which a team of firefighters and swift-rescue personnel successfully recovered the German shepherd, was broadcast live on local television. The dog, nicknamed Vernon, is safe, sound, rabies-free, and residing at a Los Angeles county animal shelter, which reports a “mile-long list” of interested adopters. That sounds like a happy ending. But because the life saved was that of “just a dog,” and because the poor beast out of sheer panic bit the hand of his rescuer, firefighter Joe St. Georges, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is now under fire — its critics outraged at the expenditure of resources and assets on a mere mutt (and an ungrateful one, at that).
But the LAFD absolutely did the right thing. Regardless of your feelings about animals — whether or not you believe in the special bond the exists between people and pets; whether you love animals or loathe them, or prefer cats to dogs — the only thing to do is to applaud the LAFD’s action and hope that other disaster response agencies won’t ever hesitate to help animals in need.
“The dog was trying to get out of the channel, and that was not going to happen,” explained St. Georges, who is 50-years-old and a 25-year firefighting veteran. What’s more, the LAFD feared — rightly — that because the situation was being broadcast live, animal lovers might rush in and display amateur heroics, resulting in serious human injury and possibly death.
As a firefighter with the Denver Fire Department, Heather Green fought fires for 9 years (she now works in dispatch). She also owns three dogs and is associate publisher of The American Dog Magazine. She writes:
It is standard practice in the fire service to respond to water/ice rescues involving dogs to prevent citizens from attempting a rescue; however, firefighter Joe St. Georges went beyond the call of duty to ensure this dog’s safety. Regardless of species, any decent human being does not want to witness the suffering of another living soul. The LAFD should be commended for this heroic rescue. As a firefighter and animal lover, I have a new hero of my own: Firefighter Joe St. Georges.
MuttShack Animal Rescue Foundation, the non-profit disaster-response organization, just nominated St. Georges for its Knights of Katrina Award — for “tireless dedication to the protection and well-being of animals, and for service beyond the call of duty.” Others who have received this award include Senator Clo Fontenot and Dr. Renee Poirrier of the Louisiana State Animal Response Team. This week, MuttShack officially entered into partnership with New York City — which means that in the event of a disaster, MuttShack will assist in evacuating the city’s animal shelters, bringing thousands of pets to safety.
In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, MuttShack established the only free, full-service triage facility for animals in the city of New Orleans. They saved many animal lives and reunited many people with their pets. But many more human lives could have been saved had authorities not insisted that people leave their beloved pets behind. For so many pet people, abandoning animal family members was simply not an option, so they made the ultimate sacrifice by choosing not to evacuate the disaster area. “We literally rescued kittens from behind dead bodies,” recalls MuttShack founder Amanda St. John. “One man had refused to evacuate because his dog was pregnant, so he hid with the dog.” (Thankfully, the man and his dog both survived.)
As far as I’m concerned, anybody who doesn’t support the rescue of a dog can go *#%! themselves. And let me issue a general Life warning: you ever meet somebody who hears this story and the first thing out of their mouth is lament about what it cost, what a waste it was, how the money could have gone to help human beings — get the hell away from them, pronto. Because underneath, they’re s*@t; they don’t give a damn about people. When they say the money could have helped a human being, it’s a pose. If it ever comes down to you needing their help, their time, their money, they’ll whip out the calculator then too, and you can bet your life you’ll come up just as short as the dog in the river.
We have all been or will be the dog in the river, at some time in our lives. Dogs sniff bombs out for us, sniff out our cancers, and lead our blind citizens so they can lead a full life; dogs and cats alike comfort the gravely ill and the elderly. And as everyday pets, they give us back more than we can ever give them in return.
In short, “man’s best friend” says it all. It would have been EVIL not to rescue that dog — EVIL!
I happen to own a wonderful German Shepherd. I’m totally sure that if he had to save my life in some situation he would sacrifice his own life to do so. German Shepherd are very devoted and extremely loyal to their owners. Any animal caught in the situation that this particular dog was trapped in would understandably be in an extreme state of excitement, nervousness and panic and would be way beyond his capacity to recognize a helping hand. We owe a large debt of gratitude to the large number of dogs that serve humans in every way, guard dogs, service dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, drug sniffing dogs, companion dogs, cat chasing dogs, you name it. I don’t think it’s asking too much to rescue one of these poor creatures who would have been totally unable to help himself.
Societies that refuse to rescue these animals will ultimately become more callous toward human beings. The two go together. Animals are not equal to Homo sapiens, but compassion towards them carries over to members of our own species. It would have been a tragic mistake not to rescue this dog. One does not have to be a whack job like philosopher Peter Singer to value the lives and well being of these lesser creatures.
I am an animal lover and would be one of those described that would
have tried to rescue Vernon.
I had heard of those who complained of the waste of tax dollars spent
to rescue Vernon. My thought was, what a excellent “training exercise.”
A drowning person is known to fight their rescuer and this proves
the fire department has mastered this “training exercise”.
To rescue Vernon, was to say thank you to all animals for what they
do for humans.
This illustrates beautifully the difference between civilized and uncivilized society. I often see news items where entire teams are saving a horse , cat dog, whatever, and it just proves to me that we live in a society that cares about life.I’m sure the Islamic world would do just the same. Oh wait aren’t dogs on the same level as pigs and women in islamic culture!
When someone has no compassion towards animals, then one has to wonder about their real feelings towards humans as well. Rescuers who team together to save an animal need to be applauded. True compassion is caring about all life, not just human.
As someone who has done her share of animal rescues for many years, including a recessitation attempt, it leaves you with wonerful feelings when you’re successful and sadness when you fail. And even with the sadness, I would not change one thing that I did.
Anyway, how many animals have come to the aid of humans, putting their own lives in danger to rescue their owners or even a stranger?
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
–Ghandi
I agree with every word. I would only add that I tend to draw a line where a rescue would simply be too dangerous for a human being to attempt. I am a animal lover but given a clear choice between a human life and an animal life, there is no question which I would choose.
And so my only concern, at first, about the operation was the possible danger to the rescuers. Thankfully they were able to rescue the dog without much more than one dog bite to show for it. But now that I think about it, these smart professionals surely wouldnt have even tried it if the risk was unreasonable.
Finally I would ask that anyone who questions the operation but is not the sentimental type to consider that any and all live practice only makes our rescuers better at their jobs. If nothing else, the rescue of the dog gave the rescuers valuable practice with a panicked animal since sometimes even humans can act like panicked animals!
Don’t harm anyone.
Don’t steal anyone’s stuff.
Be kind to animals, children and most adults.
IT’s hard to improve on this list for a way to live your life.
Guess I’m in the minority here for a change, but I agree with the critics on this one.
In my city of residence, a firefighter climbed up into a tree to rescue a cat and ended up touching a power line suffering burns and life-long crippling injuries. The cat subsequently climbed out of the tree on its own and was unharmed.
The water rescue was risky but succeeded, as the dog did not go for this throat. Next time, the risk will still be there.
Also, there is always the fairness issue as our society values cute animals more than ugly ones, pets over wild animals. If we rescue dogs, why are we not rescuing deer, racoons, squirrels, mice, and so on…
Forgot to note, they didn’t know the dog was rabies free until after the bite had occurred. That does not vindicate taking the risk, it illuminates the imprudence of taking the risk.
Is Joe St. George complaining? No? Then then people presuming to bitch on his behalf can STFU.
PT Bull. It is a natural instinct for many people to help any creature in need – deer, squirrels, etc. A neighbor of mine found a snake in her garden entrapped in a plastic six pack holder. Even though afraid of snakes she set about freeing it. But there are people who would have either gotten out their shovel or just walked away without a thought.
I guess you have a right to be passively unconcerned about other life forms but what is the point to be actively trying to interfere with those who want to help. Or to be so cheap as to resent the relatively miniscule amount of money that this cost?
Spending money to rescue a dog is not a waste of resources. Spending money on useless programs, greedy-bureacrat salaries, and millions of welfare-sucking illegal aliens is.
I was raised to be an animal lover.
Then one day I saw one of my “friends” eating another dog.
I was almost an animal rights activist.
Then one day I listened closely to a animal rights activist.
I may feel revulsion and disbelief at people who are viscous and cruel to animals. But I am appalled at people who profess love and admiration for animals. You see, it is really only themselves they love. Animals have no choices.
I suppose the kindest thing I can say about some animal lovers is they are simply overwhelmed by the complexities of existence and choosing to be loyal to warm furry mammals is they best they can do.
This is not about animal rights activists. This is about concern and empathy for animals, particularly those we have made companions at the cost of their dependence on us.
I wouldn’t send someone out to rescue an animal if the risk to the human was serious but otherwise it is a cold dead heart that would turn away from rescuing an animal if it was a reasonably safe action.
Deft social commentary and an excellent article! My two cents — I pay my taxes and I WANT my firefighters to rescue animals. They were getting paid for the day anyway!
I used to subscribe to a science magazine. I would get quite nauseated at the things done to animals in the name of science. They are burned, forced to ingest toxic chemicals, their bones are broken, etc .. Some were so covered with lesions I wasn’t quite sure what animal it was.
I don’t think most people would tolerate this done to their pets.
True compassion means compassion for all animal suffering, not just our pets. Vivisection is barbaric and morally disgusting and really does not belong in a civilized society.
The firefighters not only saved an animal’s life they were able to sharpen their skills at the same time. What they learn from these types of rescues will benefit people.
From Don #15:
“But I am appalled at people who profess love and admiration for animals. You see, it is really only themselves they love.”
From the point of view of social evolution you could also say:
“But I am appalled at people who profess love and admiration for other people. You see, it is really only themselves they love.”
Exactly the same survival skills at work – we are just smarter and more socially evolved.
Good for the LAFD! Cats can be ignored; they’re evil.
My Irish Setter Kelly can confirm what I wrote.
A family member and I were discussing this yesterday. The question came up, “Did they ever find out if the dog has an owner”. If so, how unreasonable would it be to ask for said owner to pay (completely or partially) for services rendered in the rescue of their family pet. Cost is one of the issues being discussed regarding this. Would this concept evolve into including the rescue of people? I have a relative who, with his friends, got lost/stranded while trail riding. A search team was sent out to find them. I can’t recall if he/they had to pay any rescue expense. We, of course, were elated to have them back.
I wouldn’t mind if it was deemed my responsibility to pay for my pet’s rescue. It’s my pet, I’m responsible for it. No, I wouldn’t want anyone to risk their life in the process. I wouldn’t put my pet’s life before a human’s. I would, however, worry at what the cost would be. Yikes!
I read somewhere that the #1 indicator as to whether or not a child will become a serial killer, is the treatment of animals. Jeffery Dahmer apparently tortured animals and killed them, as a child. Domesticated animals are as dependent upon humans as babies/children. To intentionally hurt one of them or not prevent harm to one of them, is inhumane. Thank goodness, the majority of Americans are compassionate. Rescuing this poor animal was the right thing to do! I would imagine if you took a vote, the majority of Americans would have no problem with this rescue, even if it cost them a few dollars!
The folks at Fox and Friends just assured us that the dog is a conservative.
what is wrong with people? why put a negative spin on a story of courage, dedication and saving a life.
the people involved in very part of this beautiful dog’s rescue are heroes. they have saved one of god’s creatures. the dog bit his rescuer…if the rescuer understands the fear factor here, why the @$@#$ can’t everyone else?
shame on all those who have the need to inject negativity into this very positive story
PT Bull: You don’t watch an animal die, especially an animal whose DNA has been corrupted by man to service it’s needs, to the detriment of it’s inborn survival instincts, when you can help it. I’m not equating man with dog, I am saying a dog is not a rat.
I am just sickened that this question would even come up for discussion… of course you should save the animal. If the tables were reversed, the animal would be saving the human at all costs. Give yourself a slap in the head if you think otherwise. Shame on anyone who would not want to save a terrified living creature who’s life is as important as anyone else’s.
I am glad the dog was rescued. The fireman was doing his JOB. He could have dropped the dog when it bit, but glad he didn’t. That makes him somewhat of a hero, though just rescuing the dog doesn’t. One thing I get tired of is a lot of glory given to people that are just doing their jobs. There are so many people out in the world doing good and not getting paid for it, that don’t get any recognition. That really bugs me. They too should be put on tv as heros! One thing I wondered, is whether or not the dog had ID or chip? Where are the former owners? Should they be responsible at all for the dog being in the water in the first place? Any people in here who knock resources used for saving a life…are simply not good people IMO. I wouldn’t want to know you or talk to you. If it were a child and a dog, and you had to choose an order of saving, of course, child first. But don’t leave the dog if not necessary. And one big thing I have to say, people who don’t spay or neuter for NO good reason….SUCK. They are a big part of dogs roaming…they need to be FINED heavily.
Everyone person and animal deservise the right to be rescued and I’m glad that there are people in this wonderful world that care enough not just to count the human life but love animals enough to rescue them as well. Animals Need More People Like These.