Maryland Dog Desperately 'Banged on Doors' to Get Family Out During House Fire
A Labrador Retriever in Rockville, Maryland is being credited with saving a family when their home was on fire.
Molly alerted the family when the fire broke out on April 15th with banging her paws on the door.
WBNG reports that Molly was originally trained to be a guide dog for the blind but she failed one of her tests.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer said everyone made it out of the home after the dog alerted the people inside before the smoke alarms were activated. The damage to the home was estimated to be at $200,000 and 45 firefighters were at the scene.
Related: Ohio Fire Department's Therapy Dog Starts Her First Day on the Job After Months of Training
Thank goodness no one was injured and Molly was able to get them family out of the home, especially since they were caring for a baby at the time. She's such a smart dog! In the above video her owner just beams with love for her and he has such a good outlook when it comes to this disaster, even though their home was destroyed. Molly is so lucky to have him and he is so lucky to have this brave and smart dog who saved their lives. What a good girl Molly is!
This should serve as a reminder that when you're doing your spring cleaning, check your fire alarm batteries! Even though the fire alarms in the above story didn't go off, it's a good idea to routinely make sure yours are in good working order.
Fire Safety Tips For Pets
No one ever wants to think about something horrible like a house fire happening to their family, but the reality is every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. That's about 358,300 home-based fires every year.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your pets safe if an accident like this should occur is to have them microchipped. If a disaster happens and your pets escape if they are microchipped they have a much better chance of being returned to your family. Also it helps to make sure your pets wear collars with up-to-date identification tags, including your contact information.
Just like with your human family, regularly practice fire drills with your pets so they become familiar with what will happen if a fire should occur. Use treats and positive reinforcement to make it a positive experience.
Keep a small carrier if you have a cat and a separate leash for your dog along with a go-bag filled with pets supplies, vet records, and any medications your pet takes in a secure area. This bag is only to be used in case of emergencies.
Display pet alert stickers on windows or doors to alert firefighters to the presence of pets inside your home. These stickers should indicate the number and type of pets in your household. You can find these either on Amazon or through the ASPCA where you can order a pack for free.
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