FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 12/22/2009) Bill Harvey's eight year old terrier mix named Prince is more than man's best friend.
Prince is considered a family member that Harvey would risk his own life for even in a house fire.
Harvey said, "I would go in after him because my wife would kill me if i didn't."
Each year thousands of pets die of smoke inhalation because of house fires. It's why many pet owners hope the Memphis fire department will soon have animal oxygen masks on their trucks.
Harvey said, "I think it could save the lives of pets and owners because owners are loyal enough to their pets to go back in a burning house to get them out."
Internet websites such as www.bark10-4.com are setup to allow the public to sponsor a pet oxygen mask for their local fire department.
The Downtown Animal Hospital on North Third Street in Memphis already has its own oxygen masks for dogs and cats, but Dr. Susanne Heartsill says it would be even better if Memphis firefighters had them in the field.
Dr. Heartsill said, "I've actually lost several patients to house fires in the past. So, it's devastating for the families and for us to have to see that."
It's why many hope this technology that's already saving lives in other cities will possibly do the same in Memphis in the near future.
Dr. Heartsill said, "Probably 40,000 animals a year die of smoke inhalation because of house fires. Some of those deaths could be prevented if firemen had access to oxygen masks."
The Memphis Fire Department says it's looking into the possibility of getting the pet oxygen masks here and if it all goes as planned we could perhaps see them on fire trucks as early as next year.
- Oxygen Masks For Mid-South Pets
- Pet Owners Want Fire Trucks Equipped With Devices
- Memphis Fire Department Looking Into The Possibility Of Getting Them
(Memphis 12/22/2009) Bill Harvey's eight year old terrier mix named Prince is more than man's best friend.
Prince is considered a family member that Harvey would risk his own life for even in a house fire.
Harvey said, "I would go in after him because my wife would kill me if i didn't."
Each year thousands of pets die of smoke inhalation because of house fires. It's why many pet owners hope the Memphis fire department will soon have animal oxygen masks on their trucks.
Harvey said, "I think it could save the lives of pets and owners because owners are loyal enough to their pets to go back in a burning house to get them out."
Internet websites such as www.bark10-4.com are setup to allow the public to sponsor a pet oxygen mask for their local fire department.
The Downtown Animal Hospital on North Third Street in Memphis already has its own oxygen masks for dogs and cats, but Dr. Susanne Heartsill says it would be even better if Memphis firefighters had them in the field.
Dr. Heartsill said, "I've actually lost several patients to house fires in the past. So, it's devastating for the families and for us to have to see that."
It's why many hope this technology that's already saving lives in other cities will possibly do the same in Memphis in the near future.
Dr. Heartsill said, "Probably 40,000 animals a year die of smoke inhalation because of house fires. Some of those deaths could be prevented if firemen had access to oxygen masks."
The Memphis Fire Department says it's looking into the possibility of getting the pet oxygen masks here and if it all goes as planned we could perhaps see them on fire trucks as early as next year.
