THURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2015 – A dog survived a fire in her owner’s recreation vehicle early Thursday morning, but suffered third-degree burns on about 30 percent of her face.
A Riverside County Animal Services officer responded to a scene in an area east of Hemet at about 8 a.m. Thursday after authorities told him a dog had been injured in a fire inside a recreation vehicle.
The incident happened near the intersection at Stetson Avenue and Cornell Street. The owner of the recreation vehicle told authorities that a fire erupted after he turned the ignition key. The man, Tim Bocian, and his wife, escaped, and so did Pinky, a 3-year-old pit bull. A second dog, a 7-year-old Chihuahua, appears to have been lost in the fire. Firefighters responded immediately but the vehicle was destroyed.
Riverside County Animal Control Officer Harvey Beck transported Pinky to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. It was there she was examined by veterinary team members and placed on pain medications. Employees also gave her treatment for the burns.
Pinky was later transported to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley where Chief Veterinarian Dr. Allan Drusys examined her and veterinary technicians provided more treatment. Dr. Drusys said the dog is likely to recover from the burns, but ultimately will need some long-term care.
Normally, an animal that is owned by someone must receive care from his own veterinary practitioner. Riverside County Animal Services Director Robert Miller said that it was his understanding that the owners do not have the finances to handle long-term veterinary expenses for such a tragic incident. Reportedly, the destruction of the recreation vehicle has essentially left the owners homeless.
“What’s important right now is the humane care for this pet,” Miller said. “While the county is providing initial emergency care, we are not equipped to provide specialized, long-term care for this pet’s recovery. We have already reached out to some of our veterinary partners and donors to provide the skin care necessary for this patient’s full recovery. In these cases, infection is always a concern and also pain management.”
Miller said that the pet owners have been through enough. “The least we can do is give them some comfort in letting them know Pinky is receiving immediate professional care.” He praised the owners for having a dog that was spayed, fully vaccinated and microchipped. “They illustrated what we appreciate in responsible pet ownership,” Miller said.
Riverside County Animal Services and its nonprofit partner, The Animal Solutions Konnection, is excepting donations on behalf of Pinky and her owners. The ASK Foundation’s Web site is: theaskfoundation.org or donations can be mailed to the county’s main animal shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd., Jurupa Valley, Calif. 92509.
