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topicnews · October 24, 2024

Dozens of protection dogs killed in night fire

Dozens of protection dogs killed in night fire

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, NY (WWNY/Gray News) – Dozens of dogs have died at a New York animal shelter after an overnight fire.

According to Canton Fire and Rescue, firefighters were called to a structure fire on State Highway 68 around 1 a.m. Thursday.

Crews managed to put out the flames, but firefighters said the building was already engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Staff are calling the loss an “unimaginable tragedy” as 44 dogs were killed in the fire.

Unfortunately, none of the dogs inside survived.

The shelter was a refuge for dogs rescued from the Asian meat industry and war-torn countries as part of the organization No Dogs Left Behind.

Victoria Murray, director of the Potsdam Humane Society, said fires are one of the biggest fears of those who shelter animals.

“We have a long list of things we check every night before we leave the shelter. There are so many fire safety measures, temperatures, fire doors… to make sure everything is unplugged and double-checked,” she said.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

The owner said he plans to rebuild.