Colorado Dog Breeder Loses 32 Animals In Fire
Rose Jennings, 55, a state-licensed dog breeder, and a companion rushed into the burning trailer early Monday, but could save only the one dog. Jennings was treated for smoke inhalation at an Aurora hospital and released
Her companion wasn't injured.
The trailer, which housed Jennings' business, Rose's Ark, was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene northeast of Byers at 1 a.m.
Firefighters said they tried to enter the trailer, but couldn't because the space was cramped due to dog kennels stacked on top of each other.
Authorities think the fire was started by an electrical cord running from an outlet in the trailer to an outdoor flood light.
County and state animal control officials were expected to investigate, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said.
``Right now it doesn't appear that any charges will come of it,'' Robinson said. ``We spoke with the state veterinarian and were told that routine inspections had been done at the place and that she was well within the standards of their protocols.''
A Rose's Ark employee, who wouldn't give his name, said Jennings had not decided whether to restart her business. She is a breeder of poodles and Yorkshire terriers.
Victims advocates were called to the hospital to console Jennings, Robinson said.
It's the worst loss of animal life by fire in the Denver area since 50 cats and dogs and seven monkeys were killed in a 1995 blaze in Elbert County.
That shelter contained between 300 and 500 dogs.