Rescuers race flames to save pets, livestock

pek1 · 10-24-2007, 01:21 AM

Rescuers race flames to save pets, livestock - CNN.com

By Cybil Wallace
CNN

(CNN) -- In San Diego County, officials are racing, literally, to save pets and livestock left behind by hundreds of thousands of residents fleeing the raging wildfires.

Horses stand in a pen as fire threatens the Bonita neighborhood in San Diego, California.

For the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, it's nonstop work to save as many lives as possible, said Lt. Daniel Desousa.

"We're doing the best we can to keep ahead of the flames and pull the animals out," he said Tuesday. "Are animals going to be killed? Yes. But we're doing the best we can."

With help from Los Angeles and the Humane Society of the United States, the county's 30 animal services officers have been answering calls from people who left their pets and livestock behind as well as those who have seen animals left in evacuated areas.

Many people calling don't have enough trailers to get all of their horses to safety and need help, he said.

"I never knew we had so many horses here," Desousa said. "And we're seeing even more this time because our fires are bigger and worse (than the 2003 fires that swept the area)."

At a fairground in San Diego County, 2,000 horses are being boarded, but Desousa said it seems like horses are being housed everywhere -- even mall parking lots -- with their anxious owners standing next to them.

"If you have an open space, we'll put horses on it," he said.

The Humane Society's Curtis Ransom is stationed at an emergency campground in San Diego County where people have taken refuge with their dogs, cats, horses and even goats.

"It's a whole different situation from Katrina; people are taking care of the animals," Ransom said.

"The message has gotten out. It's a horrible disaster, but as far as the facilities and the willingness to take in animals, I don't think there's any hesitation," he said.

He said they have received invitations from shelters to take in pets -- they even have one place that could house an elephant, if needed -- and many of the evacuation areas are allowing people to bring their furry friends.

Also, news stations are informing people about where they can take their animals if their neighborhood is evacuated, Ransom said.

Desousa said the county has been so busy with the work, they don't have figures on how many animals they've saved and evacuated.

One officer called to say there was a bird left in a house in the fire's path. He wanted to know if he should kick in the door to get the animal. Desousa told him that the door won't matter if the fire destroys the house. Save the bird, he told him.

Other times, flames have been too close for officers to grab the animals, Desousa said.

On the job for 19 years, Desousa said this is the worst series of wildfires he's seen.

Even many of the officers themselves have been evacuated.

Desousa has his three dogs, three cats, a tortoise and a snake in his office. He said when they were told to evacuate, they divvied up priorities.

"I ran home, grabbed the animals and my wife grabbed the family photos," he said.

Isn't this just incredible? Some people will save their own lives, but the heck with their pets and livestock. I sure hope those who left their animals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and are made to do some very serious time.

Phillips · 10-24-2007, 07:07 AM

Horrible!

Kai Onca · 10-24-2007, 10:02 AM

I'm glad to hear the comment that the attitudes are better than when Katrina hit a couple of years ago.

pek1 · 10-24-2007, 06:21 PM

I understand that horses are the most difficult ones to move because they are either so spooked that you have to get out of the way or they just stand there and they have to be blindfolded out. Does anyone here know for sure what can be done for horses in situations like this?

horselover61 · 10-24-2007, 10:18 PM

It is very difficult for the owners to leave their beloved pets at home and flee from the fire. They either dont have enough room in their vehicles or dont know where to turn. But I am sure that the owner would call the society for help and get their pets back. I would polly take my pets with me since I do have room for them. The most difficult would be a fish if the owners have a fish tank and I am sure it wont be that easy to take it with them. Unless they have a small contanier to put it in but for a huge fish then they would have to leave it behind and hoping for the best.

10-24-2007, 01:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
pek1 Professional Writer. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minnesota. Posts: 3,212	Rescuers race flames to save pets, livestock Rescuers race flames to save pets, livestock - CNN.com By Cybil Wallace CNN (CNN) -- In San Diego County, officials are racing, literally, to save pets and livestock left behind by hundreds of thousands of residents fleeing the raging wildfires. Horses stand in a pen as fire threatens the Bonita neighborhood in San Diego, California. For the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, it's nonstop work to save as many lives as possible, said Lt. Daniel Desousa. "We're doing the best we can to keep ahead of the flames and pull the animals out," he said Tuesday. "Are animals going to be killed? Yes. But we're doing the best we can." With help from Los Angeles and the Humane Society of the United States, the county's 30 animal services officers have been answering calls from people who left their pets and livestock behind as well as those who have seen animals left in evacuated areas. Many people calling don't have enough trailers to get all of their horses to safety and need help, he said. "I never knew we had so many horses here," Desousa said. "And we're seeing even more this time because our fires are bigger and worse (than the 2003 fires that swept the area)." At a fairground in San Diego County, 2,000 horses are being boarded, but Desousa said it seems like horses are being housed everywhere -- even mall parking lots -- with their anxious owners standing next to them. "If you have an open space, we'll put horses on it," he said. The Humane Society's Curtis Ransom is stationed at an emergency campground in San Diego County where people have taken refuge with their dogs, cats, horses and even goats. "It's a whole different situation from Katrina; people are taking care of the animals," Ransom said. "The message has gotten out. It's a horrible disaster, but as far as the facilities and the willingness to take in animals, I don't think there's any hesitation," he said. He said they have received invitations from shelters to take in pets -- they even have one place that could house an elephant, if needed -- and many of the evacuation areas are allowing people to bring their furry friends. Also, news stations are informing people about where they can take their animals if their neighborhood is evacuated, Ransom said. Desousa said the county has been so busy with the work, they don't have figures on how many animals they've saved and evacuated. One officer called to say there was a bird left in a house in the fire's path. He wanted to know if he should kick in the door to get the animal. Desousa told him that the door won't matter if the fire destroys the house. Save the bird, he told him. Other times, flames have been too close for officers to grab the animals, Desousa said. On the job for 19 years, Desousa said this is the worst series of wildfires he's seen. Even many of the officers themselves have been evacuated. Desousa has his three dogs, three cats, a tortoise and a snake in his office. He said when they were told to evacuate, they divvied up priorities. "I ran home, grabbed the animals and my wife grabbed the family photos," he said. Isn't this just incredible? Some people will save their own lives, but the heck with their pets and livestock. I sure hope those who left their animals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and are made to do some very serious time. __________________ Pete

10-24-2007, 07:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Phillips Lets ride horses! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Somewhere in Northeast Posts: 5,698 Blog Entries: 3	Horrible! __________________ *Enjoy life today, Yesterday has past and Tomorrow may never come.*

10-24-2007, 06:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
pek1 Professional Writer. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minnesota. Posts: 3,212	I understand that horses are the most difficult ones to move because they are either so spooked that you have to get out of the way or they just stand there and they have to be blindfolded out. Does anyone here know for sure what can be done for horses in situations like this? __________________ Pete

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10-24-2007, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kai Onca Save the RAINFOREST Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Wandering through the Mist of Time Posts: 887	I'm glad to hear the comment that the attitudes are better than when Katrina hit a couple of years ago.

10-24-2007, 10:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
horselover61 Neigh!!! Neigh!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,077 Blog Entries: 2	It is very difficult for the owners to leave their beloved pets at home and flee from the fire. They either dont have enough room in their vehicles or dont know where to turn. But I am sure that the owner would call the society for help and get their pets back. I would polly take my pets with me since I do have room for them. The most difficult would be a fish if the owners have a fish tank and I am sure it wont be that easy to take it with them. Unless they have a small contanier to put it in but for a huge fish then they would have to leave it behind and hoping for the best.