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This case has generated considerable controversy, at least in the Tennessee area. Feel free to weigh in on this issue.
man arrested for saving his dog from a burning building

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~Rascal
striving to be the kind of person my dog thinks i am

I understand where the guy is coming from of not wanting his dog to literally burn to death in the fire. I mean I just might do the same thing depending on the circumstances and the severity of the situation. But on the otherhand, I have to disagree with what the guy did. Look at it from the fireman's point of view. He/she/they are trying to put the fire out as quickly as possible to go and see if there are any survivors etc. But if the fire wasn't safe to go in then they would know and not so much the home owner as he is not trained in how fires behave not to mention in an enclosed area. The fireman said in the report that by this guy breaking the window out it could have caused the fire to become even more out of control by him busting the window allowing the fire to breath more making it more difficult to put out.Then let's say there was a senior citizen inside, now he would surely die at the expense of a dog and I don't care what any dog lover says. No humans life is worth equally or less than a dogs'. It is sad but true. In my opinion I think the guy got off pretty light and the city should relax on the department a bit. They have a job to do and it must be done properly. He should have grabbed the dog while leaving himself. Next, what if the building collapsed by doing what he did; or the other guy who said he has a bird, turtle, cats, dogs, and whatever else. Then the city would be outraged about for the fact that the firemen allowed him to lose his life and then they could be sued for millions. Also, lets not forget that classic picture with the man, his kid, and his dog. Well, if it did collapse then his little girl and his wife would be without a father/husband forever because he wanted to save a "dog". I think the man wasn't thinking straight. What he failed to do is weigh the risks of saving the dog versus what would happen if he lost the gamble. Lastly, I don't think any person trained in saving lives would just sit there and watch something burn to death for shear giggles and kicks. I am not saying it is impossible, but I believe those pychos who do, are few and far between as most people aren't "crazy" and would help if they could.
That's my 2c......
LATER

I don't think the man should have disobeyed the authorities and I think he should be given the minimum penalty a guilty verdict would allow for the charges, just to discourage people from taking fire fighters commands lightly. But I would probably have done the same thing.
As a side note my apartment building caught fire when I was a kid and my mother became hysterical and went back into the apartment from the stairwell to save her make-up and new boots. The bathroom mirror exploded in her face but not hard enough to do permanent damage. People act badly when under duress, and you can't blame this guy. The only reason I think he should be punished is because the case was in the news. If it hadn't been there would be no societal benefit to punishing him.
Sean

>>As a side note my apartment building caught fire when I was a kid and my mother became hysterical and went back into the apartment from the stairwell to save her make-up and new boots. The bathroom mirror exploded in her face but not hard enough to do permanent damage.

Amazing! I'm smiling and shaking my head here. I'd save the living beings and probably photographs. Everything else could burn, but we all have different priorities.
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Tasha

My turtle and I were already out. HEHE Just an illogical reaction to a situation that made her hysterical. You would be shocked what happens to people in those situations.
sean

>>My turtle and I were already out. HEHE Just an illogical reaction to a situation that made her hysterical. You would be shocked what happens to people in those situations.
>>sean

Yes, understood ;> It just amused me she would want to save her makeup and boots. Shame on me!

Tasha
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Tasha