Real-life 'Lassie' helps save kennel dogs

Barking collie warned about dangerous smoke, officials say

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updated 10:19 p.m. ET Nov. 2, 2004

CROWN POINT, Ind. - Lake County Animal Control officials are crediting a dog with warning them about dangerous smoke coming from an area that contained 10 other dogs.

April Godra, a shelter official, said she knew something wasn’t right when Foxie, a normally quiet collie, would not stop barking as Godra made her rounds through the northwestern Indiana kennels two weeks ago.

Then she noticed Foxie looking at the door leading to the garage where the dogs were.

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“I opened the door, and smoke started billowing in,” Godra said. “I said, ’Oh my God, Foxie, you’re just like Lassie. You saved us!”’

A burning motor on the washing machine caused the smoke.

Godra said if it weren’t for Foxie, the dogs likely would have died.

“She saved us. She’s our baby,” Godra said.