‘He protected her’: Dog badly burned while shielding other dog in New Mexico fire

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RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico family is crediting their Labrador retriever with saving their other dog’s life during a fire that broke out in their home last week.

The fire erupted at a house in northern Rio Rancho last Tuesday. Chris Hinz said he and his family weren’t home, but their cat and two dogs were still inside. The pets were trapped for about 30 minutes before firefighters arrived.

Hinz said firefighters found his nearly 4-year-old yellow Lab, Miller, in a corner shielding the family’s smaller dog, Amelia, from the flames.

“He may not have known exactly what he was doing other than being with sister during a scary time, but he protected her one way or another,” said Hinz.

It’s unclear what started the fire, but all three pets made it out alive. Miller, however, sustained second- and third-degree burns as well as lung damage from smoke inhalation.Tips to prepare heaters for cooler temperatures 

Miller has been receiving treatment at the Algodones at the Roadrunner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital since the fire.

Along with the damage to their home, the family is now facing thousands in medical bills, but they can’t imagine life without their pets.

“Thankful is probably an understatement of how lucky we are to have them still. Things can be replaced, and the house can be rebuilt. But, you know, we lucked out. We have a place to stay,” said Hinz. “Material items are replaceable. Animals aren’t.”

Donations for medical bills have been pouring in for the Hinz family after the public caught wind of Miller’s story. So far, they have received more than $10,000 in donations.

The family is hopeful to have Miller home from the veterinary hospital soon, but he has months of recovery ahead. Their two other pets have minimal injuries and are already back home.