School boys struggle to save dog (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

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School boys struggle to save dog

10:16am Friday 4th July 2008

comment Comments (15) Have your say »

By Paola Dellafiora »

A SCHOOLBOY has been hailed a hero after desperately trying to rescue a dog who got stuck in a cat flap.

Reece Young, 12, of Sweet Briar in Welwyn Garden City attempted to free the huge Dogue De Bordeaux, called Moses Chan, by pulling him out by his hind legs.

But the 14-month-old dog's head was so firmly wedged in the flap that Reece's efforts proved fruitless and Welwyn Garden City firefighters had to be called.

Reece said: "I heard scratching coming from the garden so looked over the fence only to be greeted with the rear end of Moses Chan."

"I even tried to use oil but he would not move. I could tell the dog was in some distress as he was whimpering. I ran to call my mum."

Owner Lisa Saberi was out shopping at the time and returned to a worried neighbour.

"As soon as I saw my neighbour's face I knew something was seriously wrong," she said.

"When I first saw him I was in complete shock. How the hell he managed to get his head through is beyond me.

"Our cat has trouble passing through so don't know how he managed it. Looking back now it is hard not to laugh."

It is believed that Moses had been watching the cats going through the flap and thought he might have ago at it.

Firefighters had to drill around the flap to release the dog, who became distressed but suffered no serious injury.

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Bob, St Albans says...
1:02pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Owner Ms Saberi said: "Looking back now it is hard not to laugh."

Yes, we're all rolling around in hysterics at this abuse of public money, calling the fire service to do something free of charge you could have done for yourself - but, of course, you would have had to pay.

And who is it exactly who "hailed" the 12 yr old schoolboy as "a hero" - a reporter trying to milk a story out of thin air perhaps?

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Paul, Welwyn says...
2:37pm Fri 4 Jul 08

What a disraceful waste of an emergency service call. I assume that 999 was called? What was the immediate threat to life or property which warranted this? The brigade should not have responded in the first instance, and if compelled to, the home owners should be billed for the hundreds of pounds that every fire brigade callout costs. Did the brigade respond with blue lights? Assume so, if it was 999 call. If I discovered that I had pulled to the side of the road to allow the fire engine priority for this, I would be deeply unimpressed. Next time you see a fire engine driving with blue lights, should you think twice before yielding? This cheapens the image and respect of this vital emergency service.

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Denise, Welwyn Garden City says...
3:49pm Fri 4 Jul 08

I wished it amazed me to find the misery of some people who just cant help to pass comment and or judgement. Although I agree we all have our own opinion, but if it was your neighbours dog and they were not home what would you have done being a 12 year old boy?? This was a huge dog that most children would have been frightened of, and people were frightened of hurting him further!! 999 was not called and no sirens were used but it took alot for this neighbour to call the local fire station not knowing what else to do, she couldnt climb over herself and her son couldnt use a drill. It was infact an animal resue service as the dog was in severe distress and could have easily choked to death if it hadnt been for that young boy keeping him calm....and the fire service releasing him from the door....Would you have rather heard/read the headline dog-chokes to death??? I do hope you do not have pets yourself!!

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Paul, Welwyn says...
3:58pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Denise...I do not pay my taxes for "animal welfare". My tax contribution to the fire service is for firefighting and prevention and other human-interest matters. The RSPCA exists for animal welfare matters and if people wish to contribute money to this, then that is their choice. Who paid for this "rescue"? If I could, I would withhold that proportion of my taxes which funded this farce.

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Denise, Welwyn Garden City says...
4:07pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Its people like you that gives this great nation its bad name for complainers, moaners and miserable people......Have you thought just for one second that this money has not come out of your pocket but from charity organisations and people with a heart?? It makes me so sad to realise there is people like you in this country that would rather know that two school children came home to a dead dog!! Rather than a rescued one!! You are not the only one that pays taxes love!! I do too!!

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dee, Medway says...
4:07pm Fri 4 Jul 08

I couldnt believe it what i see the pic of moses i did lololol when lisa told me about it,bless what ever nexts it was only his first day there,well at least we all know we have many more yrs of fun to come out of it hey

hes not call Moses Chan for nothing
xxx

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russell, wgc says...
7:50pm Sat 5 Jul 08

paul, i think its best you keep your 5 pence worth of comments to yourself. if a dog is in distress the fire service will get called. i take it you dont a have dog or a life as you seem like you have nothing better to do. if the RSPCA is called then after 24 hours they call the fire service anyway. if you ever get a dog you should remind us if there is ever a fire at your house and the dog is trapped inside.

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Paul, Welwyn says...
8:48am Sun 6 Jul 08

Russell, I think you will find that this site provides a forum for the expression of ALL views, not just those that you happen to agree with. Therefore, it is inappropriate for you to suggest I "keep my 5 pence worth to myself" and shows a somewhat lacking intellect if you suggest that any views which you don't share should not be aired. I suggest that you remember this in future. I stand by my views that the emergency services exist for the protection and preservation of human life and not to rescue dogs from catflaps. I will allow you your views, I request and require that you extend me the same courtesy. Do not post comments of that nature on this website again. This matter is now closed.

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Annika, St Albans says...
8:38pm Sun 6 Jul 08

"hailed a hero"...?? come on....please. Those cowards fighting in Iraq can only be ashamed at how heroic this young man was. This is why the country is in such a state - hailed a hero for trying to rescue a dog from a cat flap? the mind boggles...

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russell, wgc says...
9:48pm Sun 6 Jul 08

id like to close you pal. who the **** are people supposed to call if the dog is in distress. a dog is a human life to everyone including the fire service. its people like you that i give kickings to on friday nights.

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Paul, Welwyn says...
9:34am Mon 7 Jul 08

Russell, somehow that doesn't surprise me...you are clearly a master debator.

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Paul, Welwyn says...
9:35am Mon 7 Jul 08

Russell, somehow that doesn't surprise me...you are clearly a master debator.

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Dee, Kent says...
1:13pm Tue 8 Jul 08

i agree with Russell, Paul you dont seem to have a heart when it comes to pets,lets hope you treat and feel differnt towards you partner or kids if you have any,id like to think noT to be honest if your so cold toward pets,and i do believe ther service is there for all types of things not just from putting out fires

get s grip on life mate and chilli out

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nic, st albans says...
4:57pm Tue 8 Jul 08

There is no need to be so rude Paul. Yes you have your opinions but would you rather watch a dog struggle and get hurt rather then help?? We called the RSPCA out when our dog has a similar problem. the RSPCA turned up and called the fire brigade who turned up without sirens and lights - no emergency response.

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Jason, St Albans says...
11:23am Wed 9 Jul 08

Bob wrote:
Owner Ms Saberi said: "Looking back now it is hard not to laugh." Yes, we're all rolling around in hysterics at this abuse of public money, calling the fire service to do something free of charge you could have done for yourself - but, of course, you would have had to pay. And who is it exactly who "hailed" the 12 yr old schoolboy as "a hero" - a reporter trying to milk a story out of thin air perhaps?

Bob - did you see this article on the Daily Mail website five days after it appeared on this site? Milk a story? Thank goodness you are not a journalist. Maybe that is your problem - never quite made the grade eh?

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