Man Who Rescued Dog From Fire Says He'll Fight Charges Against Him

NewsChannel 5 ^

[Brian S]

Some people said a West Nashville man a hero after he rescued his dog, but police and fire officials called his actions dangerous.

Jarrod Martin rushed past police lines to rescue his dog from his burning apartment during a fire at the Premiere West apartments.

Martin broke the window of his apartment, hoisted his bulldog, Bishop, over the apartment’s balcony and then jumped to the ground.

"I love that dog and I've raised him up and I wasn't going to sit there and watch him burn to death when I knew I had a chance to get him," Martin said.

Fire and police officials said Martin made a dangerous decision.

Before the rescue, Martin was told the dog could not be rescued at that exact moment because it was too dangerous, police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Fire officials said a rescue was eventually going to be made, but Martin said he couldn't wait.

"The gentleman actually created a very dangerous situation, not only for himself but also for our firefighters," fire chief Kim Lawson said.

Martin was not taken to jail. He was given misdemeanor citations for disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

Martin said he plans to fight the charges in court.

[Brian S]

Just watched the video of this event on MSNBC and the cops can go to hell! I would have done exactly the same thing and would gladly sit my ass in jail for 90 days if it meant rescuing my animals.

[DB]

I tend to agree. Who's life is it after all.

[FreedomPoster]

I saw that on the news last night, at which point he hadn't been charged. I commented to the wife, "if they charge him, he needs to ask for a jury trial".

Total BS. I'd jury nullify that charge in a heartbeat if I were on that jury.

[Cyber Liberty]

The prosecutor will probably drop this crap like a hot potato.

The cops were being jerks. They deserve a FReep of some nature.

[SJSAMPLE]

I'd have done the same, but there's TWO sides to this story:
What about the firefighters who would have been OBLIGATED to rescue him if something went wrong? I'm not saying he should have been arrested, but how does he relieve the firefighters of hteir obligation to go in and rescue him?

[Search4Truth]

There can be no heroes in America, that's the law.

[js1138]

Charges will be dropped. It is impossible to imagine criminal intent. Now if he had gotten himself trapped, that could have led to the endangerment of firefighters. So I understand the police point of view.

[Brian S]

There can be no heroes in America, that's the law.

Unless of course your part of the gubermint. :)

[sheikdetailfeather]

Dogs are family too.

[rintense]

Amen! If I knew there was a chance to save my dog, I would do the exact same thing at this risk of my own life.

[The FRugitive]

I would do the same thing to save my dog.

[Old Professer]

The building had been evacuated by the time of this incident; the firemen were trying to save adjacent apartments and were unwilling to enter the building.

This man acted instinctively and therefor lacked the ability of intent to commit a crime at that time.

If I were a juror, I would not convict.

[The FRugitive]

Yea they are.

[jjm2111]

Dopey cops. Bump for later enjoyment.

[Catspaw]

The firefighters don't need to risk their lives saving him if something happens in a situation like this.

Yes, they would. Despite his stupidity, the firefighters would've gone in after him at risk to themselves. That's their job (remember 9/11?).

[Wright is right!]

The guy had a second-floor apartment, and from a vantage point he could see his dog inside, clawing at the sliding glass balcony door as the flames advanced toward Bishop, the 1-year-old Terrier. So he climbed up to the balcony, over the wood railing, smashed the sliding glass door and grabbed his 4-footed buddy.

He then went to the railing and as he prepared to toss Bishop to the ground, the dog instead leapt over the railing and landed cat-like on the ground below. The man then followed suit.

The fire guys CLAIMED that they were going to try a rescue "once they got the flames beat down," but Bishop probably wouldn't have lasted that long. The smoke-eaters also "claimed" that they were afraid of a backdraft, although none occured. You don't get backdrafts in a building that's already so engulfed that there's no shortage of oxy. By that time, the roof had burned open, so a backdraft wasn't going to happen. Some asst. chief blew the call, and the cops cya'd him.

Michael

[whadizit]

Me, too! Without any hesitation. Just like if it was a child -- they would have to shoot me to keep me out!

[Brian S]

No, the reason they arrested him was because he didn't "comply with their orders" and it hurt their ego's.

[alrea]

tennessee = antidog state