Dog Credited With Saving Elderly Man's Life in Novato

Novato Fire District officials credited this week a canine for saving his companion's life in Novato.

According to the agency, the 80-year-old man "...was well on his way to carbon monoxide poisoning if it weren't for his German Shepard dog and its instinctive actions to try and get his owner to safety after falling from the effects of a malfunctioning wall heater."

The agency says that it all started on Feb. 26, at around 6:30 p.m., when they got a call for help regarding a man with multiple dog bites in the 800 block of Atherton Avenue.   

"After ensuring the dog was secure, fire crews began to treat the man for his injuries, but then noticed that the patient seemed slightly unstable while walking and upon entering the house they encountered a strong smell of natural gas," a press release from the agency said. 

Novato Fire Captain Chris Wikeen says that's when crews grabbed a multi-gas detector, and confirmed their suspicions of high levels of carbon monoxide present in the residence.  They quickly took the man back outside, and opened all the doors and windows for ventilation. 

Here's what the Novato Fire District says happened next: 

The patient explained to the crew that his dog was a “rescue dog” that he had acquired 1 year earlier, and he and the dog are still getting to know one another. He stated that normally the dog is very friendly and doesn’t bite. 

The patient went on to explain that he had been sleeping earlier and the dog woke him up with a paw to the face. As he got up, the man fell to the floor.

His dog began tugging on his arm, and bit his arm so hard that he “woke up” and called 9 1 1.

The elderly man was transported to the hospital by Novato Fire District Medic 61 with traumatic injuries and exposure to prolonged levels of CO. 

“Dogs have very heightened and advanced senses which enable them to detect many dangers long before we can,” said Captain Cindy Machado, Director of Animal Services for the Marin Humane Society, “We are privileged to be able to share our lives with animals that have the ability to notify us of potential harm, in some cases even saving our lives from death."

According to the Novato Fire District, PG&E tracked the gas leak to a "flue" to the gas-fueled wall heater, which was clogged with debris and soot.  The heater was turned off, and gas service was secured. 

“This incident could all have been prevented too, had the wall heater been properly maintained and if there had been a working carbon monoxide alarm in the home," Captain Wikeen said.