NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Police cited a dog owner with two misdemeanors after he rescued the animal from an apartment complex fire, against their orders.
Jarrod T. Martin, 26, was cited for disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment on Wednesday night for crossing a safety line and climbing to his second-floor apartment, then breaking a window to let the dog escape.
``Although Martin was told the rescue attempt could not be made at the precise moment he wanted, firefighters knew the dog was in the apartment and would have taken action ... when it could be done safely,'' police spokesman Don Aaron said.
``Officers and firefighters agree that Martin made the wrong decision, which jeopardized lives.''
About 16 families were displaced because of the fire at Premier West Apartments, but the only person injured was Martin, who sustained a minor cut.
Martin could have created a ``backdraft'' explosion when he broke the window, injuring or killing himself or firefighters, Aaron said. Waiting before trying to rescue the dog would have allowed time to lessen the heat and flames so the attempt could be made with less risk, Aaron said.
