6-month-old pup finds home with a Connecticut fire department after being rescued from hot car

A beagle pup has found its forever home after being rescued from a hot car by a Connecticut fire department a couple weeks ago. The special dog will serve as the department’s support animal and remain a permanent part of the crew.

Local authorities found the 6-month-old pup locked in a car near East Haven Beach, about 100 miles from Hartford, Patch reported. 

Animal control searched for the owner on the beach, but no one claimed the dog, Mayor Joseph A. Carfora told Patch. 

East Haven Fire Department was called a short time later to get the car open and pull the dog out of the car. The temperature inside the car was 122 degrees. 

Despite what the puppy endured, the local animal shelter gave him the clear. 

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Animal control brought the pup over to Town Hall to visit the mayor. The pup’s owners gave him up early Monday morning. 

The mayor’s office fielded several calls from families interested in adopting the pup, but ultimately the pup got to stay with the fire department, Patch reported.

Residents were invited to help name the station dog in a vote. Over a couple days, the department received 7,000 votes, according to the East Haven Fire Department’s Facebook page.

The fire department was “deeply grateful” to East Haven residents for taking the time to vote, Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli wrote in the post. 

 "Each vote not only solidified a name but also underscored the vital role the community plays in fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the fire department,” Chief Marcarelli wrote. 

The community eventually settled on Riggs, beating four other name options. Fire officials deemed the name a fitting moniker because it embodies strength, loyalty and resilience, the post states. 

Community donations will cover veterinary care, food, and anything else Riggs may need, Patch reported.

“He is an official ambassador for the department and the residents. Riggs is an Eastie now," Mayor Carfora said.

Fire officials are most looking forward to the positive impact Riggs will have on the well-being of firefighters and the community at large, fire officials said in the post.

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