Fire Department Adopts Puppy They Rescued From a 'Distressing Situation'
A Connecticut fire department has given safe haven to a puppy they saved.
The East Haven fire crew adopted the young beagle after saving him from a locked car near the beach, the inside of which had reached over 120 degrees, according to the town's mayor, Joseph A. Carfora.
The six-month-old pup, whose rescue captured the attention of most of the town, was surrendered to animal control following the incident, with several suggesting the town adopt him.
The chiefs of police and fire, Ed Lenon and Matt Marcarelli, respectively, were on board, deciding that he would call the firehouse home from now on as the Station Support Dog—offering support to help firefighters cope with their stressful jobs.
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“He has a great temperament and will get along with the on-duty crews as well as be an ambassador to the department at public education and community events,” Mayor Carfora told local outlet WFSB.
The town called on the community to help name their new firehouse pup, with Riggs—after "rig," a common moniker for a firetruck—coming in hot, garnering almost 7,000 votes in just three days. According to a statement shared on social media, the name “embodies strength, loyalty, and resilience."
Fire Chief Marcarelli expressed his gratitude to the community for their support, stating, “The East Haven Fire Department is deeply grateful to the residents of East Haven for taking the time to participate in this endeavor. Each vote not only solidified a name but also underscored the vital role the community plays in fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie with the fire department.”
Cinder, Spartan, Ash, and Jake—a common name for firefighters, according to the publication—were also in the running.
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