PETA Gives Firefighters Award for Saving Nalu the Dog From House Fire

Santa Monica, Calif. - A Compassionate Fire Department Award is on its way from PETA to Santa Monica Fire Department Engine 1C, Station 1, which responded to a fire at an apartment building on Seventh Street last week-and acted quickly to resuscitate an unconscious dog found inside.

Firefighters rushed the dog, named Nalu, outside and discovered that he wasn't breathing and didn't have a pulse-so they worked for 20 minutes to revive him, administering oxygen through a special mask designed for animals and performing CPR (which, in this case, firefighters call "mouth to snout"). After Nalu was able to breathe on his own, he was taken to a local animal hospital, and he's recovering well.

"These firefighters had the knowledge, resources, and determination needed to save this little dog from the brink of death and reunite him with his relieved guardian," says PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien. "PETA hopes their kindness will inspire people everywhere to come to the aid of animals in need."

PETA-whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"-encourages all animal guardians to put a sign on their doors or windows in order to alert rescue workers to the presence of dogs, cats, and other animal companions. Families can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own.

The Santa Monica Fire Department will receive a package of the fire-alert stickers, a framed certificate, a box of delicious vegan cookies, and a copy of The Engine 2 Diet-a Texas firefighter's 28-day plan for staying in prime firefighting shape by eating plant-based meals.

--David Perle, PETA