Should L.A. firefighters have risked their lives to save a dog? Tell us what you think [Updated]

The rescue of a dog by an army of firefighters and swift-rescue personnel has been the talk of Los Angeles. It was broadcast live on local TV and has sparked much debate.

Should fire personnel have risked their lives to save the dog?

LAFD Capt. Steve Ruda said the firefighter, Joe St. Georges, who rescued the dog has significant bite injuries to his right hand and forearm, and is being treated in the emergency room at L.A. County-USC Medical Center.

“They are waiting for a hand specialist to come in because of the significance of the injuries,” Ruda said. The dog will be tested for rabies, and is being cared for at the county's Animal Care shelter in Downey, he said.

[Updated at 6 p.m.: St. Georges, wearing a bandage on his hand, was released from the hospital and spoke to the media.

"The dog was trying to get out of the channel, and that was not going to happen," he said, explaining why officials decided to act.

He said the dog "started snapping at me" when he tried to put a capture restraint on the canine. He said he got one bite to the thumb.

St. Georges was asked why he decided to risk his life. He said officials worried that someone without training would attempt to rescue the dog because the scene was being broadcast on TV.]

Share your views below.

--Seema Mehta and Shelby Grad

Comments

[Steve]

If the fireman risk there life for some stupid person that knows they shouldnt go in the water then why not rescue a helpless dog.

[JOE]

First of all, please stop referring to the firefighters as "MORONS". When you (or one of your loved ones) are dying of a heart attack, trapped in a burning car, or your home is going up in flames right in front of you, these "MORONS" will without hesitation put their lives on the line for you and your possessions. You may not like the fire service, but please appreciate the people who are involved.

Second, as with any questionable rescue (such as this) there is a very hefty cost/benefits analysis before the decision is made to attempt such an endeavor. If it was deemed too dangerous to go after the dog, then it would not happen.

Remember, these people are highly trained and this was an excellent opportunity to deploy those skills on a live target. And as far as the costs involved? They were already on duty, not called in specifically to rescue the dog. It doesn't cost a single dime more than had the day been sunny and blue. (outside of the dog bite issue)

Yes, had there been a more pressing issue involving a human being, it would have been addressed.

And this isn't the first time I have seen this kind of rescue. It was just caught on tape and therefore people are hyper aware that it occurred - and it gives fodder for the "fire haters".

Good job LA. Keep up the good work. And live in peace people, it's only life and it is short. There is not enough time for so much hating.

[Brandy White]

LAFD should not have risked their lives to save a dog. C'mon now. There is plenty for them to do. But these days it seems like animals are more important than a persons life. It is crazy to me. In my opinion animals know how to survive on their own. But people have to have them locked up like criminals. Let em be free. They can survive without human care. And LAFD should go and help some people who really need them.

[Lowell]

They should not have rescued the dog. The tax payers foot the bill for fuel and labor. And now the tax payers have to pay for medical treatment for dog bites while the firefighter lays in the hospital. I'm sure that the firefighter could do a better job of fighting fires without the dog bites. Has anybody noticed that California is going broke. I'm tired of public servants being reckless with expensive equipment funded by the tax payers. If you don't think that is so, just stop by a Border Patrol vehicle graveyard and see all the demolished vehicles from joy rides

[CHAR]

ABSOLUTELY!!! 1000 PERCENT THAT DOG SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO SAVE MAN'S BEST FRIEND?!

DOGS ARE MOR LOYAL THAN HUMANS

[Gina]

Dogs and cats are nicer, more loyal than humans. They can't do any evil, only good. So yes, the dog deserved to be rescued.

[D. Wade]

What if...by some freak accident(or the storm), this helicopter lost control, crashed into the river taking the firefighters and dog with it and everbody dies. Would the lost of several HUMAN lives been worth it...NO! Would the heartache of their FAMILIES be worth it?...NO! Would the lost of your hard earned money be worth it?...NO! I love dogs as much as the next person, but I value HUMAN LIFE far more...WE are what makes a difference...people PLEASE get your priorities straight!

[Edward Anderson]

Don't get me wrong I love animals just like the next man, but looking at the plight of California's economy. They can't possibly justify spending that amount money and resources. I know they do this all the time, I've seen them save horses and cows. Maybe the state need to have to owners of stranded animals pay the state back the money used for these rescues. My tax money should not be used to absorb such things.

[Joselyn Geaga-Rosenthal]

YES!!

[Ray]

I wouldn't be able to stand by and watch a dog drown. A life is a life especially when it comes to mans best friend. How many stories have you heard where the dog saves the humans life?? Thousands

[bernie]

A sniper rifle would have taken care of the situation in a second!!!! If it was stupid enough to get in there, then let what happens happen!! That includes people,too!! We have to thin out the herd of idiots!!

[maria]

HI FIRE FIGHTERS GET HURT ALL THE TIME IN FIRES BURNED SO A LITTLE BIGHT FROM A DOG IS NOTHING MARIA

[Olivia]

L.A firefighter that rescue the dog is a great firfighter they pretect everyone not just humans! He is a great firefighter to do this kind of thing!. God bless you !
Olivia

[John]

Its a good practice I believe.

[skerri01]

Swift water rescues only come around rarely. It is good training for LAFD to have. It could have been an animal hater they were going to rescue. Training saves lives.

[R Campos]

First of all, thank you to the personnel who saved this dog. I understand it was a bite and I do hope he gets better soon but let’s face it he will live. This is well worth my tax-payer dollars and I would not oppose any rescue of an animal. In using our resources for humans, good we should however, how many humans abuse the system and will intently put our safety personnel in harm’s way. I commend and feel proud of those who stepped up and did something for this life.

[jeff]

The city of los Angeles is in such a budget crunch is this a smart way to taxpayer money Mr mayor

[kim schneider]

Really? Is this a serious question?

[jeff]

The city of los Angeles is in such a budget crunch is this a smart way to taxpayer money Mr mayor

[Jim]

It was absurd to risk lives and spend money to rescue this dog, especially by the same city that exterminates thousands of dogs every year at the pound on the premise that it does not have the funds to care for them.

[Michelle]

Yes, he absolutely should have been saved! How egocentric humans can be if they say he shouldn't have. Animals have been known to save humans without a second thought to their own safety. Plus the firefighters get practice.

[Cathy]

I think that the firefighters were doing their jobs. As a wife of a firefighter I know that they get all sorts of odd calls and for some reason they are considered the answer when any, and I mean any, emergency arises. Also, as a person with a dog, I would hate to know that someone without training tried to help instead of someone with training. Thank you to those who put others, including animals, before themselves..not all of would do the same.

[LAC]

Risk vs gain comes to mind. Cost is another. Why did these guys spend so much money, put themselves at risk, receive a potential career ending injury, be exposed to some of the most vile water on earth, all because of a dog? I surmise the easiest explanation is because of the stupidity of the public. They expect it, even if it is some of the stupidest things that one can think of. Imagine the Cal-OSHA findings should one of these guys died. I pity the LAFD. They will do anything to spin a positive story for themselves in the media markets...even if it is outlandishly stupid. Shame on the public for placing the life of an animal over a person(s).

[pk]

for all you dog lovers, I think you should pay for all the services of the fire department rendered for that dog and for the expensive medical care and workman's compensation St. George will get from the dog bites. I wonder if St. George will think it's worth it if he has to get those painful rabies shots.

[ek]

No. The dog was trying to commit suicide. He just couldn't take his jobless and soon to be homeless owner moaning about his "people" problems all the time.