FAIRFIELD, Ala. (WBRC) – A Fairfield animal control officer is being hailed as a hero after risking her life to rescue five dogs trapped during a house fire Friday afternoon.
When Fairfield Fire and Rescue arrived on scene, they found flames engulfing the home and animals in danger – three dogs chained in the backyard, one loose, and another locked in a crate.
“We noticed there were animals present and immediately contacted animal control,” said Fairfield Fire Chief Carlos Perry. “They responded quickly and were able to remove the animals without incident.”
Video captured from the scene shows the officer racing against time—dodging fire, cutting chains, and carrying each dog to safety.
Allison Black Cornelius, CEO of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS), said the footage is unlike anything she’s seen in her 12 years leading the organization.
“She was trying to calm them, cut them loose, and run each one to the truck while flames were closing in,” Cornelius said. “I was frightened for her—but also incredibly proud. This is more than a job to our officers, it’s a calling.”
Cornelius emphasized that animal control officers are first responders, too—vital to ensuring firefighter and public safety during emergencies.
“A firefighter cannot do their job if there are loose animals or pets in danger,” she said.
Perry echoed that concern, noting how frightened animals can sometimes lash out, complicating rescue efforts. “By acting quickly, we were able to avoid that,” he said.
The Humane Society says all five dogs survived but suffered smoke inhalation.
They’re recovering well, but Cornelius used the moment to stress a deeper issue: tethering dogs.
“Chaining dogs is not just dangerous, it’s deadly,” she said. “People think it’s a security system—it’s not. It attracts crime, it isolates animals, and it puts them at greater risk in emergencies.”
Cornelius urged lawmakers to revisit legislation aimed at banning tethering.
House Bill 149, which would have restricted the practice statewide, failed to pass this session.
Birmingham has a tethering ordinance in place, but Fairfield does not fall under its jurisdiction.
“Other cities and states have acted. Birmingham and Alabama shouldn’t be the last to do the right thing,” she said.
She also called on pet owners to create emergency plans that include their animals, saying the fire serves as a wake-up call.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, GBHS is working closely with the dog owner to ensure the animals aren’t returned to unsafe conditions. The dogs are healthy enough to go home, but only after their living situation is secured.
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