Rescue dog saves the life of Whakatane man who adopted her three days ago

A Whakatane resident’s decision to adopt a rescue dog has potentially saved his life.

In the early hours of this morning, the man’s Bridge Street home went up in flames.

It was Hazel, a 9-month-old pup who was "heartbreakingly abandoned" twice, who raised the alarm.

Christina Eichler, the general manager of Cusack Partners Property Management, told rova the dog’s actions proved heroic for her tenant.

“Hazel nipped him, gave him a bit of a bite to wake him up, and if it wasn’t for her…he wouldn’t be here for his kids.”

Eichler added that the man had only adopted Hazel from Jack Dog Centre Rescue three days ago.

“She hadn’t had a very good life within her first nine months," she said.

Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to the fire at about 6.30am, with six trucks and two support vehicles from Whakatāne, Edgecumbe, Kawerau, Ōhope, and Tāneatua responding.

Eichler went with the man to the hospital, and is now trying to secure another property for him.

“The community has been absolutely amazing and rallied around….my office is chokka-full of blankets and clothes and dog treats.”

No one is more grateful, however, than her tenant.

“He said that dog is going to be with him for life. He won’t ever imagine not having her going forward.” Images provided by JDC Rescue.