SANFORD, Fla. — On Dec. 2, a Sanford Police Department officer entered a burning home to pull a dog from a crate and revive the animal after it suffered smoke inhalation, body camera footage and department accounts show. Police officer saves dog from burning home: ‘Dogs are family’

The dramatic rescue was recorded on the officer’s body-worn camera and circulated by local outlets, including CBS12 News and the New York Post. According to the video and Sanford Police Department statements, human occupants had evacuated the house before officers arrived, and the response team concentrated first on ensuring there were no people left inside.

Once officers confirmed the household’s occupants were out, firefighters and police personnel searched the structure and located a single dog in an enclosed crate. The footage shows an officer — identified in department materials as Officer Pagan — removing the animal from the crate, carrying it outside and administering immediate aid for smoke inhalation.

On the scene, officers provided emergency oxygen and offered water until the dog regained strength. The body cam clip shows the animal eventually lifting its head and beginning to breathe on its own; family members on site reacted with relief as the dog recovered.

“Dogs are family, man,” Officer Pagan says in the recording, summing up the motivation behind the decision to re-enter the home after confirming the people were safe. The department’s public description of the incident emphasized that human safety was the first priority, and the animal rescue occurred after occupants were confirmed safe.

The footage details the sequence: firefighters worked to control the blaze and secure the scene while police conducted room-to-room checks. After locating the crate with the apparently lifeless animal inside, officers brought the dog into fresh air and administered oxygen, then offered water, watching carefully for signs of recovery. The clip captures the moment the dog’s head lifted and attendants visibly relaxed.

House fires that endanger pets are commonly caused by several preventable hazards. The most frequent causes include pets accidentally turning on kitchen stoves by walking across or jumping on the knobs, knocking over lit candles, chewing on electrical cords, and jumping on hot appliances, officials and safety guides note.

In post-incident comments, the department reiterated that first responders must make split-second decisions during active fires, balancing firefighter safety, occupant rescue and property considerations. The department did not release additional identifying details about the dog or the family, beyond confirming that occupants had left the home prior to the animal’s removal.

Footage of the rescue has drawn attention from residents and animal advocates who pointed to the role emergency planning can play in preventing pet injuries. Pet owners are encouraged to prepare in advance: creating a pet emergency kit with food, water, medications, medical records, first-aid supplies, leashes, carriers, and current photos — and keeping it near an exit for quick evacuation — can make a difference in a crisis.

Community groups often mobilize after disasters to assist with displaced animals. Typical support includes volunteering with trained response teams for search and rescue, emergency sheltering, daily animal care and transport of displaced pets, along with donations of funds, supplies and temporary foster homes to relieve overloaded shelters.

Sanford Police posted the body camera snippet and a brief account of the incident; local coverage has replayed the video showing the key moments of removal from the crate, administration of oxygen and water, and the dog’s eventual signs of recovery. The department listed the incident as occurring Dec. 2 and identified Officer Pagan in the recording.

The episode underscored the rapid, coordinated actions of police and fire personnel at residential fires, and the attention many communities place on rescuing family pets once people are confirmed to be safe.

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Original reporting: view the original article.