A Dayton couple escapes their burning home and then tries to save the lives of a large number of dogs out the home.
The fire happened late Tuesday night at a home on Edgar Avenue near Wyoming Street in east Dayton. Firefighters arrived and spotted the couple outside of the home already.
Firefighters spotted flames on the roof and dogs in the yard as they moved in to do their job. Some neighbors said they tried to help get the dogs out of harms way.
Andrea Gephart said she grabbed some leashes, but by the time she got back, the dogs had been loaded into an SUV in the alley.
Firefighters said they struggled to bring the fire under control for about an hour. The flames started on the first floor and raced up to the attic, where it was fueled by paint and petroleum products.
Investigators said some dogs died before firefighters got the flames under control. Neighbors said they feared a new litter of puppies did not make it.
Gephart said there are countless dogs everyday going in and out with the straw. There were a load of eight puppies not very old.
Neighbors said the couple was not raising pets, but was breeding dogs. They claimed the couple had two dogs each of several breeds such as boxers, Dalmatians and great danes.
Gephart said the couple would breed the dogs over and over to make money, maybe $250 or $500 a pop.
At this time, the Red Cross is helping the couple find temporary housing because the house is considered a total loss.
Investigators said it now appears that a total of 10 dogs died. They said an adult and nine puppies perished in the fire. Officials said six dogs, all great danes, survived two adults and four puppies.
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