ESCONDIDO — A dozen dogs were safe and receiving emergency boarding and care from the San Diego Humane Society today after their dramatic rescue from a fire at a senior living community in Escondido.
Shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday, the rescue group’s Humane Law Enforcement team was dispatched at the request of the Escondido Fire Department to assist with evacuated pets at 1225 E. Grand Ave.
Residents and their pets were gathered in a community room. Two Humane Society veterinarians also responded to the scene and evaluated around two dozen animals for possible smoke inhalation and other medical concerns, but none required critical care.
Firefighters rescued three adult dogs and eight 4-week-old puppies from one of the apartments. Firefighters passed the dogs through a window to firefighters waiting below. No owner was present at the time of the rescue, according to an SDHS statement.
All 11 dogs were taken to the organization’s Escondido campus, where they were receiving care through the organization’s emergency boarding program.
A community member found an additional dog running near the fire and brought it to the Escondido campus. The dog may also have come from the apartment complex, as one of the SDHS veterinarians recognized him at the scene.
“Our hearts go out to all affected by today’s fire,” the SDHS said.
