An off-duty National Police officer and three neighbours rescued nine dogs that were trapped in kennels as a fire spread towards a farm in Villamediana de Iregua, in La Rioja.
Smoke near the farm
The officer was passing the area when he saw smoke rising from a fire in nearby woodland that was moving quickly towards the farm. He went onto the property to check that nobody was inside and found nine dogs shut in their kennels, at risk from the flames and the smoke.
Realising there was no time to wait for the emergency services, he called for help.
A team effort
Three neighbours who were nearby came running. Together they forced open the farm gate and began releasing the dogs. The animals were frightened, and one tried to run off as soon as it was freed, but the group kept calm and managed to keep them together.
A dog-transport trailer was parked on the farm. The rescuers loaded all nine dogs into it, so that none could get lost in the smoke, and moved the trailer about 200 metres away to a clear area out of the fire’s path.
The dogs waited there safely while firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
Why it matters
The rescue was carried out before emergency crews reached the farm, and the quick decision to act almost certainly saved the animals. Police praised the officer and the neighbours for their initiative.
Summer wildfires are a growing concern across Spain, including in the Balearics. Emergency services remind the public that the first step in any fire is to call 112 and that people should only approach a fire if they can do so without putting themselves at risk. Pet owners in rural areas are also advised to plan how they would move their animals quickly if a fire threatened their property.
