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Video: Firefighters save cats and dogs from earthquake rubble

Catherine Edwards
Catherine Edwards - [email protected]
Video: Firefighters save cats and dogs from earthquake rubble
The dog is rescued from rubble after an hour's work. Photo: Vigili del Fuoco

As well as the thousands of human victims of Italy's recent earthquakes, there are plenty of animals who have been injured, traumatized or even trapped under the rubble of the quake.

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Firefighters and volunteers from animal rights' organization ENPA have been working to help animals affected by the earthquake in the central Italian region, and searching for any pets left in the dangerous 'red zones' of the towns.

Early on Monday evening, firefighters were alerted to the presence of a dog trapped under quake rubble in Norcia, a town close to the epicentre of the quakes.

It took around an hour to locate the panicked pup, but the rescuers were eventually able to pull him from the rubble - alive and well.

The video below shows the rescue.

The dog did not show any signs of injury despite the ordeal, ENPA said on its social media channels, but would be taken to a clinic in Rieti for medical checks.

The organization also shared updates on a five-year-old dog who suffered a broken leg in the earthquake.

Pino, whom volunteers described as a "joker", was taken to Rome for treatment on his leg.

 

 

 

On Tuesday morning, the organization said that it was continuing work in the area to track down any more injured animals.

Volunteers are also distributing pet food to animals, and helping pet owners find shelters where animals are allowed - particularly in cases where people with disabilities need to stay with their service animals.

A total of 16 cats and dogs have been found in the 'red zones' of the affected towns so far, Perugia Today reported. Four of the animals have now been returned to their families.

No animals have yet been reported dead as a result of the earthquake. "We hope with all our hearts that this will be confirmed in the days to come," said Enpa.

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