Trained Dog Tried To Save Elderly Man’s Life
EL PASO, TX. – The family of 83 year-old Alfonso Saldivar was still coming to terms with their loss Wednesday night and ABC-7 learned his best friend tried to save his life.
Alfonso Saldivar’s dog Queena ended up with serious burns all over her body trying to get back inside the burning house that ultimately claimed her owner’s life.
“She had tar on her feet that burned her feet, tar had dripped on her face that had dripped off the roof,” said veterinarian, Dr. Nicole Burton. 6-year-old Labrador Pit Bull mix Queena is quiet, coping with her wounds. “She has third degree burns in her mouth, on her face and on her footpads, and second degree burns on her nose, and around her face and on her ears,”added Burton.
Firefighters told Crossroads Animal Hospitalthe doctorthey think she was trying to get into the burning house to save her owner, 83-year-old Alfonso Saldivar.”She was actually physically biting the doors trying to get in,” Burton said.Queena’s raw snout and gums make eating impossible.
WhenABC-7 revisited the home Alfonso shared with his brother and sister-in-law, the family was picking through the remnants. Alfonso’s niece, Lorena, didn’t want to talk on camera. But Lorena toldABC-7 her parents are still dealing with Alfonso’s death and getting back on their feet. She and her mother were saddened to hear about Queena’s condition.
The Saldivar family says that Alfonso and Queena were inseparable. In fact, they said thatQueenahad her owncouch. And it sat right next to Alfonso’s bed. Dr. Burton thinks the dog’s traumatic experience has thrown her into depression.”You really don’t know how much they pick up on. But obviously she knew there was a problem because she was trying to get back in there,”said thedoctor.
The “From the Heart” Animal Rescue group is taking care of Queena’s veterinary bills and could also take her in when she’s released from the animal hospital in a few days. Alfonso Saldivar’s niece Lorena says she would like to take in Queena, but needs time to evaluate her situation.
— Written for broadcast by Stephanie Valle
— Formatted for the web by Miguel Martinez
