On January 7 of this year, Atlanta police responded to a terrifying call – an entire abandoned apartment building was engulfed in flames. While dousing the monster blaze, Officer Robert Winkler found a dog, unconscious from smoke inhalation, and pulled him away from the collapsing porch. Officer Austin Denninger took it from there, carrying the helpless dog to safety.
Denninger and his colleagues cared for the dog while waiting for Animal Cruelty Liaison SPO Amy Soeldner to arrive. EMT Jesse Johnson provided the dog with much-needed oxygen to bring him back to consciousness. When Officer Soeldner got there, she put her coat around the shaking dog until he was ready to be moved back to the shelter for some TLC.
We’ll never know how he got there, and there are no leads to the family he might have come from. Happily, though, he survived his ordeal, and his rescuers named him Smoky. He has been put up for adoption at Fulton County Animal Services. Thank you to the heroes who saved Smokey, who now awaits a forever home with a loving family!

Thank you to those who saved this dog, may he find a loving home.
So many times firefighters and police officers put themselves in harms way when they don’t have to in order to save our beloved companion animals. What community heroes we have!
They do have to… it’s why they get a paycheck!
THANK YOU officer for saving this wonderful, vulnerable animal.
You are very kind and brave.
Bravo Officers Denninger and Winkler. Too often we see dogs being abused and killed by cops. This is such a welcome and wonderful change.
Bless them! God put the right angels at the right place at the right time! You are HEROS! Thank you for being so loving and so determined to save this sweet dog!
Bless them
Thank you , you are an angel
These officers need to be presented with gold medals. Thank you all so much.
Thank God the fire department aren’t afraid of dogs and are able to
help them when needed!!! This has a happy ending thank you so much!!!
God bless you for rescuing this sweet animal I hope he gets adopted soon to his forever home
Thank you!
Thank you to the BRAVE heroes that rescued this guy. All First Responders should be able to have oxygen masks made for cats and dogs – they can save so many lives.
Smoky – awwww – shouldn’t have any trouble getting the loving home he deserves.
And to those wanting Smoky and don’t get him, rescue another dog, or cat, in Smoky’s honor.
That way many more lives can be saved <3 And you can tell the story and the connection to your cat or dog <3
Truely Honorable Officers
The Galarneau family would like to Thank Officer Robert Winkler & all the other Officers involved in this Heroic deed. Risking their lives for an innocent dog. You all represent what I knew Law Enforcement is about as I evolved into an adult.
Namaste*
Thank God this innocent fur baby was saved in time. Thank you to those who participated in his rescue.I hope he finds a loving forever home. ????
Many thanks to the heroes who saved this pup!! A wonderful ending to a tragically sad story!