National Fire Dog Monument Honors Canine Heroes and Their Handlers
Posted on July 5, 2012
America's first National Fire Dog Monument is destined for a final stop Washington, D.C. after making a 2,000-mile cross-country tour honoring firefighters, law enforcement professionals, and their arson dogs in communities across the United States. The 450-pound, seven-foot-high bronze sculpture of an arson dog and a firefighter began its voyage in Denver, Colorado on June 21. You can follow the journey on ArsonDog.com.
The National Fire Dog Monument was sculpted by 22-year-old Colorado firefighter Austin Weishel. The sculpture, "From Ashes to Answers," was commissioned by Jerry Means, an arson investigation agent with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Means' own arson dog, Sadie, received national attention last year as the winner of the 2011 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards in the category of Law Enforcement/Arson Dog and was a model for the sculpture. You can find out more about the annual Hero Dog Awards at herodogawards.org.
The National Fire Dog Monument tour is being sponsored by State Farm and American Humane Association. Take a look: