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BY STEVE ZABROSKI
Times Correspondent | Wednesday, March 21, 2007 | (No comments posted.)
HAMMOND | A group of Robertsdale Scouts has turned their proceeds from a year of fundraising into emergency rescue equipment for dogs and cats.
Instead of taking their annual trip, members of Girl Scout Troop 150 at St. John the Baptist School took some money from their cookie sales to buy animal-sized oxygen masks, which they donated to emergency responders in Hammond and Whiting.
The Scouts were working on their pet care badges, said troop member Alyssa Miner, efforts which involved volunteer work for the local Humane Society shelter, when they came across a newspaper article about rescue masks for pets.
In February, the Scouts voted to forgo their trip, and instead provide multisized oxygen masks for every firetruck and ambulance in both cities.
"As Girl Scouts, we want to help our cities and communities," said Rachel Dabertin, an eight-year Scouting member.
"This is one of the most unselfish things I've ever heard of," Hammond Fire Chief David Hamm said at a news conference to announce the donation on Tuesday. "They took it upon themselves to purchase these masks for us."
Firefighters could have used the specialized equipment just last weekend, said Battalion Chief Jeff Smith.
The near-lifeless bodies of a dog and cat were rescued from a Hessville house fire on Saturday, Smith said, and responders had to modify human-sized oxygen masks on the scene to revive the animals, both of whom are doing fine.
"It's amazing that girls this age consider community impact when choosing their projects," Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura said.
The reusable rescue sets include three sizes of masks designed to seal around the noses and mouths of dogs and cats.
A dozen canine supporters attended Tuesday's news conference - including hometown hero Chalupa, the Midwest's fastest Chihuahua - along with one uneasy duck, but Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said his dog, Max, is currently restricted from public appearances, "because he barks so much."
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