In June 2018, a pit bull puppy named Sasha helped save a Stockton, California, family when a fire from a neighbor’s home spread toward theirs. The family says her early warnings and her quick move to their baby’s side made the difference, according to ABC7/KABC.
Born Days Apart
Sasha and baby Masailah were born just days apart, and their family describes a special bond: they sleep in the same bed and even share baths, KABC reported. By the time of the fire, Masailah was 8 months old, per KCRA’s report.
The Night Of The Fire
On Sunday night, June 10, Sasha was in the backyard when Masailah’s mother, Latana Chai, noticed the dog behaving strangely. Sasha was barking and pressing at the door, and the family also mentioned hearing banging, according to KCRA.
When Chai opened the door, Sasha ran inside straight away. At that moment, a fire from the neighbor’s home was spreading toward the Chai family’s house.
“Dragging Her Off The Bed”
Chai followed the dog and found Sasha already in the back bedroom. Sasha had taken hold of Masailah’s diaper and was dragging her off the bed, in what Chai described as an attempt to get her to safety.
Chai told KCRA that without Sasha’s barking and pawing at the door, she probably wouldn’t have known anything was wrong. As for the reward, the family joked that the dog now gets steak, KABC reported.
Reports from the time don’t give details about the fire’s cause, the damage, or whether anyone else was hurt.
One Dog, One Family’s Experience
Sasha’s story is often shared as proof that pit bulls are loving family dogs, and her family certainly sees her that way. It is worth keeping in mind that it is one dog’s story, and that dogs of every breed vary. Temperament depends on genetics, early socialization, training and the home a dog lives in.
Fire Safety Takeaways
A dog’s barking can sometimes give early warning, but pets are no substitute for working smoke alarms. Families can:
- Test smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries as recommended.
- Plan and practice an escape route that includes children’s rooms.
- Keep pets’ leashes or carriers near the exit, so they can be taken out quickly if it is safe to do so.
- Leave the home immediately and call emergency services rather than going back inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did this happen? In Stockton, California, in June 2018.
How old was the baby? Masailah was 8 months old, according to KCRA.
How did Sasha alert the family? She barked and kept going at the door while in the backyard, then ran inside and went to the baby’s room.
Was the fire at the family’s own house? It started at a neighbor’s home and was spreading toward the family’s house, according to the reports.
Is Sasha a pit bull? Yes. She was described in news reports as a pit bull puppy.
What did the family give her as a reward? Steak, according to the mother.
Sources: ABC7/KABC (June 2018), KCRA (via ABC7 Amarillo and other syndication partners).
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