Fund created to help pet victims of fire

One of the dogs that inspired the fund's creation after being injured in a fire last October. (Courtesy Prince George's County Police Department)
Mylo and Otis suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and one of them died. The fund will help dogs hurt in fires whose families can't afford care. (Prince George's County Fire and EMS)
Mylo and Otis suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and one of them died. The fund will help dogs hurt in fires whose families can't afford care. (Prince George's County Fire and EMS)
Mylo and Otis suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and one of them died. The fund will help dogs hurt in fires whose families can't afford care. (Prince George's County Fire and EMS)
Mylo and Otis suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and one of them died. The fund will help dogs hurt in fires whose families can't afford care. (Prince George's County Fire and EMS)
Mylo and Otis suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and one of them died. The fund will help dogs hurt in fires whose families can't afford care. (Prince George's County Fire and EMS)
Mylo and Otis suffered smoke inhalation in a fire, and one of them died. The fund will help dogs hurt in fires whose families can't afford care. (Prince George's County Fire and EMS)
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WASHINGTON – Two dogs named Mylo and Otis have triggered an idea that could save pets’ lives in Prince George’s County.

The two Chihuahuas were caught in a Bowie house fire last October and their odyssey has inspired what the Prince George’s County Fire Department believes may be a first-of-its-kind effort to save pets — the PGFD and SPCA Sparky Fire Fund.

Mylo and Otis were pulled from the fire, and firefighters managed to revive them. Suffering burns and smoke inhalation, the two dogs needed follow-up veterinary treatment, which the family could not afford.

“One of the pets succumbed to his injuries and died,” says Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George’s County Fire Department.

The Sparky Fire Fund is intended to provide veterinary care for pets injured in fires whose families cannot afford it.

“If we ever run into this situation again, we can send pets directly to a 24-hour vet, have them treated right away and hopefully continue to save pets’ lives,” Brady says.

The Prince George’s County Fire Department also is willing to assist any other fire department in establishing a similar fund.

“I think in the case of Mylo and Otis, the two dogs from Bowie, if this plan had been in place, I think we would have been able to save both dogs,” Brady says.

Donations to the fund can be made online at the Anne Arundel County SPCA’s donation page.

Donations can be made by mail:

    SPCA of Anne Arundel County
    PGFD & SPCA Sparky Fire Fund
    1815 Bay Ridge Ave.
    Annapolis, MD 21403

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