An Ensley man lost his home and two of his three dogs in a fire that was sparked by a space heater. Now he needs help funding medical care for his remaining pet, a Shar Pei named Falcor that is badly burned.
Gene Carroll awoke to the blaze late Sunday night, when one of his dogs, a beloved 5-year-old Pitbull named Luna, alerted him that something was wrong.
Carroll said as soon as he realized the house was on fire he rushed to save his three dogs, and a fourth dog he was keeping for his girlfriend. The Ensley man said he locked his girlfriend’s dog in his truck to keep him safe and then went back into the burning home for his two Shar Pei’s, Falcor and Arlene, who were trapped in a kennel.
“I tried everything I could to save them, and I’m still burned up from it,” Carroll said. “I’ve been trying to get to them and see them. It’s just I’ve been as messed up as them. I’m burnt down this whole side and I’m cut down this whole side,” he added, pointing to his body with his left hand. His right hand is bandaged.
Carroll’s Shar Pei’s were badly burned and taken to two different vets office for treatment. Sadly, Carroll’s other dog, Luna, died in the fire. He says when emergency responders arrived, they began treating him for his injuries, and Luna, who had been right by his side, lost track of her owner in the chaos.
Believing he was back inside the burning home, Luna died when she returned to look for him, Carrol said, devastated.
“The Pitbull went everywhere with me,” Carroll said. “She stayed by my side, rode in the truck. She was with me day and night. I had her for three years.”
Falcor and Arlene were taken to Coast Sunrise Animal Hospital on Wednesday. The veterinarians there are experienced in helping burn victims after caring for five badly burned Shih Tzu dogs that were injured about a year ago in Grand Bay, Alabama.
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A space heater caught the small building on fire where dozens of dogs were housed in kennels. Most died.
Dr. Melanie Schroeder worked with burn specialists around the country to learn the best way to care for the injured Shih Tzus. All of them survived and are happy and healthy in good homes, she said.
Unfortunately, Carroll’s Shar Pei, Arlene, died from her injuries Wednesday afternoon and the team at Coastal Sunrise is working hard to stabilize and treat Falcor, now the lone canine survivor from the fatal fire.
The Shar Pei’s injuries are so severe, the fire burned through to the muscle on his stomach. Falcor could also lose his back feet due to burns. However, Schroeder says the dog’s younger age, around 4 years old, and the fact that he was in good health before the fire may help him recover.
“I’m happy that I can help, but it’s sad, too. Particularly this case,” Schroeder said. “The owner lost his dogs and has a very sick dog and now no home, so that definitely makes it sadder than the Shih Tzus we treated.”
Sabrina Sanderson is Carroll’s friend and neighbor. She has been helping arrange for the dogs’ care and driving Carroll to see his animals since he’s also injured and has other health issues.
An animal lover herself with a pet transportation business, Sanderson introduced Carroll to his dogs and is helping him raise money for their medical expenses and memorials.
‘People have hands and mouths, and they can tell you, ‘Hey, help me.’ Dogs have different methods, and I knew with him being in the fire, who else is going to help? To me it was no question. I needed to make sure I got somebody to get them to where they needed to get treatment.”
If you’d like to help, donations can be made to Carroll’s GoFundMe account or directly to Coastal Sunrise Animal Hospital.
With his home gone, Carroll is staying with family. He says he’ll be all right; he’s just mainly praying for Falcor.
“I’m so happy and blessed they’re helping.”
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