Choking puppy saved by heroes
North Reading police, firefighters to the rescue
North Reading police and firefighters are being hailed as heroes after saving the life of a choking puppy as the dog’s desperate owner looked on.
The dramatic 10-minute rescue — captured on video in the police station lobby — shows a frantic Megan Vitale of North Reading running into the station shortly after noon Sunday with an acquaintance carrying the limp body of her 9-week-old Saint Bernard, Bodhi.
“She was screaming, ‘Help me, help me!’” said officer Jorge Hernandez. “The puppy had choked on some food, and he was limp, his eyes were closed and there was foam around his mouth and nose. His owner had gotten him only the day before and kept saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry!’ She thought the dog had passed.”
Hernandez, a former transit officer who’d joined the department only three weeks earlier, had never dealt with a choking victim — human or canine. But he immediately went to work, repeatedly squeezing the pooch’s chest to try to force out whatever was blocking his air passage. After a few tries, Hernandez said, Bodhi began gasping for air.
Officers Joseph Aleo and Peter DiPietro then took over and began patting the pup on his back until he finally began breathing. By that time, firefighters with specialized training in how to respond to pet emergencies arrived and began giving Bodhi oxygen through a mask designed for furry friends.
“Many of our firefighters have pets at home in their own families,” fire Chief Don Stats said. “We don’t get to choose the emergency situation that comes our way, so it’s important that first responders be prepared for anything.”
The puppy apparently swallowed whatever he had choked on and eventually left with Vitale to be treated by a veterinarian.
“Ultimately, a life was saved thanks to rescuers falling back on their training and remaining calm,” police Chief Michael P. Murphy said. “Even though we’re not faced with this kind of incident every day, the officers reacted just as they would in any emergency situation. We’re hopeful that the puppy will make a full recovery.”
“As one of the firefighters said, Saint Bernards are known for saving lives,” said Hernandez, who has a 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Jeter. “So it was great to be able to return the favor.”
‘We don’t get to choose the emergency situation that comes our way, so it’s important that first responders be prepared for anything.’ — DON STATS North Reading fire chief