A mama Rottweiler and her four puppies were exhausted and dehydrated but miraculously alive when a search and rescue officer found them — days after they were abandoned in a vehicle during the Park Fire in Northern California.
The dogs were being evacuated from Butte County in a truck when the fire started, but they were sadly left behind when the vehicle broke down, as reported by local news. Before leaving, the person responsible for the dogs reportedly contacted first responders and gave them the truck’s location — hoping the dogs would be rescued.
The spreading fire cut off access to the area and it was feared that the dogs had perished.
However, hope was not lost: Four days later, a determined search and rescue officer named Trevor Skaggs embarked on a helicopter mission to the truck’s location.
“After arriving, Trevor ran 1.5 miles to the location and found the puppies and mother alive, but tired and very thirsty,” the Butte County Sheriff wrote on Facebook.
A video posted by the Sheriff’s office shows the mama dog and pups happily following Skaggs back to the helicopter — after he shared his protein bar snack and water.
The five dogs are now in the capable and caring hands of the North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG), which has been providing emergency care to dogs, horses, cows, and other animals rescued from the fire.
Courtesy of Butte County Sheriff
The canine family is doing remarkably well despite their ordeal. One of the puppies has already found a new home — and was named Skaggs in honor of his rescuer.
Lady Freethinker commends Trevor Skaggs and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office for coming to the rescue of this sweet dog family — as well as the NVADG for giving shelter to dozens of animals impacted by the wildfire.
