- November 6, 2024
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Flagler Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Dimitrije Bogunovic and Jessica Jude do a "wet/dry" bandage technique on Ashley whose ears were badly burned. Photo by Flagler Animal Hospital
Little Tyke, 17284355, is a 4-year-old male cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo provided by FHS
Angel, 20573761, is a 3-year-old female Great Dane mix,available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo provided by FHS
Annabel, 34688017, is a 3-year-old female hound mix, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo provided by FHS
Carly, 28062349, is a 2-year-old female cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Photo provided by FHS
A brush fire burned through 40 acres in the Daytona North section of Flagler County last week. An abandoned home was destroyed, but no lives or occupied homes were lost.
Harley and Ashley, two hound mixes, weren’t so lucky. The dogs were burned as they ran from the fire and into the waiting arms of firefighters.
Flagler Animal Services Officer Bryan Denker responded and took the two dogs directly to Flagler Animal Hospital for treatment. He also let Flagler Humane Society Director Amy Carotenuto know that extra help was needed.
“The firefighters had reported that they were hearing sounds of other pets inside the homes,” Carotenuto said. “We didn’t know what to expect, so the Humane Society veterinarian, vet tech and a second Animal Services officer were called in.”
The FHS staff was prepared to help firefighters remove the trapped pets, but the timing of the fire was in their favor: It was late afternoon and homeowners were coming home from work and able to get their pets to safety.
Harley was treated and released back to his owner, but 8-year-old Ashley remains at the animal hospital being treated for second- and third-degree burns. As of Tuesday, March 28, Ashley was responding to the treatment and doing much better, according to the animal hospital.
Over the weekend, the Humane Society sent out an email to their supporters, requesting donations to pay medical expenses. Harley’s bills were nearly $700; Ashley’s bill is already double that amount.
“It wasn’t like we could say, 'This dog is going to need help. Let’s have a fundraiser,'” Carotenuto said. “We had to get him treatment and hope the community responded.”
The community didn’t disappoint: Donations have been coming in for Ashley’s treatment and for the shelter’s emergency medical fund.
Anyone interested in making a donation should go to the shelter website http://bit.ly/2nrddU1 and type "Ashley and Harley," or "emergency medical fund," into the notes section.
