Buzz
Research reveals that certain individuals prioritize saving a dog’s life over that of another human. Brain imaging studies demonstrate that people often cherish their dogs as deeply as their own children. This explains why many go to extraordinary lengths to protect a dog from harm.
However, life can be unjust, and sometimes, acts of bravery come with tragic consequences. Below are 10 accounts of individuals who perished while trying to save a dog, a scenario that occurs more frequently than one might expect.
10. David Allen Kirwan
During the summer of 1981 in Yellowstone National Park, David Allen Kirwan and his friend Ronald Ratliff, both in their twenties, were exploring the park. Accompanying them was Ronald’s Great Dane, named “Moosie.”
They stopped near the Celestine Pool, which appears to be a vibrant blue and inviting swimming spot. However, it is actually a hot spring with temperatures exceeding 93 degrees Celsius (200 °F).
Moosie, overcome with excitement, bolted from the truck and leaped into the hot spring, instantly crying out in agony. While Ronald hesitated to follow, David rushed toward the water. A bystander warned, “Don’t go in there!” to which David defiantly responded, “Like hell I won’t!”
David plunged headfirst into the scalding spring in an attempt to rescue Moosie. The boiling water severely burned David, and Ronald managed to pull him out, suffering burns on his own feet in the process. When David was extracted, his skin was peeling off, his eyes had turned completely white, and he was blinded. He suffered third-degree burns covering his entire body.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, David succumbed to his injuries the following day.
9. Valerie Lynn Evans
In October 2017, wildfires ravaged California, destroying thousands of homes and structures. Among those affected was 75-year-old Valerie Lynn Evans, a resident of Santa Rosa. Known fondly by her neighbors as “the horse lady,” Valerie owned horses, goats, and dogs.
As the wildfires approached, the entire neighborhood was alerted, with flames and smoke visible in the distance. While most residents, including Valerie’s family, evacuated promptly, Valerie was resolute in saving her cherished possessions.
She loaded her prized vintage book collection onto her horses and guided them to a horse trailer. As she prepared to leave, a neighbor stopped to offer assistance. Valerie confidently replied, “We got this.”
Valerie’s final act was ensuring her dogs were safely in the car before departing. Tragically, she underestimated the time she had. The flames overtook her and her animals. Upon returning, neighbors found pages from Valerie’s books scattered in the wind.
8. Clifford Lee Staley
In October 2017, Clifford Lee Staley, 49, was walking his bulldog and Shiba Inu along a busy road in Hagerstown, Maryland. This was an unusual location for walking dogs, prompting a nearby resident to find it suspicious.
The resident called 911, reporting that Staley had knocked on their door and was lingering on the property. Suspecting a potential burglary, the police were dispatched. During the incident, Clifford’s Shiba Inu wandered into the street and was struck by a minivan, leaving the dog’s body in the road.
A police deputy arrived just in time to witness the accident. Exiting his vehicle to assist, he instructed Clifford to stay clear of the street while he gathered necessary supplies.
Clifford ignored the warnings and rushed toward his injured dog. Despite the officer’s shouts to stay clear of the road, it was too late. Another vehicle struck Clifford, resulting in the deaths of both him and his dog. The bulldog was later taken to the Humane Society of Washington County.
7. Donald Langford
Donald Langford shared a strong friendship with his neighbors. They often worked on cars, played cards, and enjoyed board games late into the night. This bond extended to his neighbor’s Italian Mastiff, Bella, whom Donald adored.
In March 2017, the trio was repairing a truck in a pole barn. Bella was napping nearby. Sparks from an electrical wire ignited gasoline, starting a fire. The men escaped and called 911, but Donald realized Bella was still trapped inside.
Donald dashed into the blazing barn and located Bella. However, the fire had intensified, trapping them inside. His friends tried to rescue him but ended up hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters later extinguished the flames and discovered Donald clutching Bella, both having perished together.
6. Jacqueline Watts
Jacqueline Watts, a 33-year-old, managed a volunteer organization in southern Indiana, fostering numerous abandoned dogs and rabbits. Among them was Ringo, a blind and deaf dog with cataracts. Jacqueline took him in to save him from euthanasia, as his previous owners could no longer care for him.
Few would take on the responsibility of fostering a dog with such extensive needs, but Jacqueline embraced the challenge. Tragically, Ringo went missing under her care. She distributed posters across town and tirelessly searched for him.
In March 2017, just days after Ringo vanished, Jacqueline failed to return home. Her body was discovered on a sandbar in the middle of a river. Her car was parked nearby, with the keys in the ignition and the engine running, as though she intended to return immediately.
Her loved ones knew she had left to search for the dog. They concluded she must have seen Ringo and was trying to rescue him when she tragically lost her life.
5. Scott Wulff
Scott Wulff, 61, faced a series of hardships. A year after losing his wife, he became homeless. His only companion was his pit bull, Astrid. Too proud to inform his adult son, Jacob, about his situation, Scott likely hoped to find a job and rebuild his life independently.
For months, Scott followed a routine of asking for money. He used the donations to visit a local family-run restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, where he and Astrid could buy meals.
Near the restaurant was a train bridge overpass, a common sleeping spot for homeless individuals seeking shelter and privacy. On November 13, 2017, Astrid, frightened by an approaching train, ran onto the bridge and barked at the loud noises and bright lights.
Determined to save his loyal companion, Scott climbed onto the tracks to retrieve her. Tragically, both were hit by the train. Jacob, Scott’s son, shared a close bond with his father and later expressed that had he known about Scott’s homelessness, he would have offered him a place to stay.
4. Rebecca Hastie
In November 2017, Rebecca Hastie, a 62-year-old dog enthusiast, was walking in Columbus, Georgia, when she heard a dog whimpering. The animal had been struck by a vehicle and was lying on the side of the road. Rebecca stayed with the dog, doing everything she could to help.
Two bystanders noticed the situation and pulled over, activating their emergency flashing lights. One car stopped on the shoulder, while the other, a 1992 Dodge Dakota truck, parked in the middle of the street with its hazard lights on.
It was nearly 7:30 PM, and visibility was poor. A 38-year-old man driving a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe approached the scene. The truck obstructed his view of Rebecca, the dog, and the other car on the shoulder.
Distracted and frustrated, the driver failed to notice the truck in time and swerved onto the shoulder to pass it. He struck Rebecca, the dog, the second car, and the bystanders. The collision also sent the Dodge truck into a nearby ditch. Rebecca and the dog died, while the other two individuals were hospitalized.
3. Lucas Hermenegildo
Valentine’s Day is a time to honor loved ones. For Lucas Hermenegildo, this included his wife and three dogs. They were walking together near the California Aqueduct, a vital water source for communities across the state.
The aqueduct features a concrete pathway leading to a fast-flowing artificial river. Although swimming is prohibited, it’s a popular spot for fishing.
One of Lucas’s dogs wandered toward the water. Fearing the dog might drown, Lucas attempted to retrieve it but lost his footing and fell into the aqueduct. The dog managed to climb back up safely, unharmed.
Lucas was carried away by the strong current. Emergency responders rescued him after 15 minutes, but it was too late. Lucas Hermenegildo passed away on February 14, 2017.
2. Nick Warren
Wellington Parade in Kingsdown, a quaint coastal town in Kent, England, was the setting for this story. Nick Warren, a 57-year-old man, was walking his six-month-old black Labrador puppy during a fierce storm in late 2015.
Norman Kirkland, an eyewitness walking his own dogs, noted that the puppy was off-leash as Nick attempted to play fetch. Without an actual ball, Nick mimed throwing one to encourage the puppy to run and exercise.
Confused by the imaginary throw, the puppy assumed the “ball” had landed in the water and leaped off a 1.8-meter (6 ft) ledge into the stormy sea. Nick proposed tying their three dog leashes together to create a makeshift rope, allowing him to descend and rescue the dog.
Sadly, the leashes couldn’t support Nick’s weight and broke. Norman called for assistance, and a lifeboat crew had to rescue Nick from the icy water. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, neither Nick nor his dog survived.
1. Evan Currie
In June 2017, the Currie family was boating on Lake Erie. They connected their boat to a dock’s electrical socket at the marina to power their onboard systems.
Their dog jumped into the water for a swim. However, the family noticed the dog, typically a strong swimmer, was struggling and beginning to drown. Jeffrey Currie leaped in to save the dog but also started drowning. Without hesitation, Evan, Jeffrey’s 19-year-old son, and his brother jumped in to rescue both their father and the dog.
Suddenly, three men and a dog were all struggling in the water. Mrs. Currie was the sole person who understood the cause—they were being electrocuted. She swiftly disconnected the boat from the power source. While Jeffrey and one son survived, Evan, determined to save the dog, tragically drowned alongside the animal.
