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Shelter for stray animals and abused pets goes up in flames killing 110 dogs and 30 cats

By 0 and 0 and 0
19 September 2016

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Tatyana Medvedeva, head of the shelter, claimed arson was to blame and that ten minutes after the fire began, all the cages were in flames. Picture: Maxim Kiselev/Gazeta A42

The late night fire - pictured here - at 'Loyal' shelter in Yagunovo village, some 17 kilometres from Kemerovo, was put out 26 minutes after the alarm was sounded, but at a terrible cost. 

Of the 140 dogs in the shelter, 110 were killed. 30 out of 65 cats also perished in the blaze. Tatyana Medvedeva, head of the shelter, claimed arson was to blame and that ten minutes after the fire began, all the cages were in flames. 

Fire


Fire

'Literally, in 10 minutes all the cages were on fire.' Picture: Vkontakte

'What was ignited were the cages and enclosures with animals, but not the main building with wiring and appliances,' she said. 'Cats were roaming around the grounds, so many of them survived.'

She stated: 'I think it was arson. Our member of staff Lyudmila Vasilyuk was here and saw how the cages ignited. It was very fast, in a few minutes.

'Literally, in 10 minutes all the cages were on fire. Nearly half of animals that died here, we had rescued when they were nearly dying. They survived... Many had been through the serious surgeries, after injuries, accidents and abuse. And now they are dead.'

Dog shelter


Dog shelter


Dog shelter


Dog shelter


Dog shelter

The volunteers are helping to clean the debris, remove the bodies of dead animals, and bring food and water for those who survived. Picture: Maxim Kiselev/Gazeta A42, Sibdepo

Lyudmila had desperately rushed to open cages, smash windows, aided by locals. Now volunteers are helping to clean the debris, remove the bodies of dead animals, and bring food and water for those who survived. 

Tatyana's husband had taken a bank loan to keep the shelter going. It was unclear who might have had reason to commit arson. 

Firefighters said the 'preliminary cause' was violation of rules of use of electrical equipment and bad wiring.

Comments (5)

How could anyone be so heartless to burn down your shelter for homeless dogs. Would they like ike it if there homes was burnt down. And anyway wasn't there some off you people to watch over these animals like shift work. This wouldn't off happened if some off you was there at the shelter. It shame you wasn't there to find out who did this and every one just stood there and watched it burn. Would they just stand there and watch there house being burnt down while there families in there sleeping. Don't they have fire brigade's in that country. I just can't understand why everyone stood there and watch it burn x
angelina ricketts, england
24/01/2017 01:08
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Crispy dog and cat best dog and cat.
Wuo, Qingdao CN
22/09/2016 15:14
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So very, very sorry to read about what happened. You are great people to run a shelter like this for unwanted, sick, abused dogs and cats. My heart goes out to you. You gave them a nice life while they were alive. Hopefully they will catch the cruel, sick person who did this if it was arson.
Debbie Mahan, USA
20/09/2016 07:21
4
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This was arson. Please investigate as such. A very dangerous pyschopath and/or pyschopaths planned and executed these animals to try to shut down this shelter. Thank you to everyone for your compassion and courage and please let us know how we can send donations to help you. I am aware of Planeta.ru and have supported projects via Planeta.
Pamela Tetarenko, League City, USA
20/09/2016 02:31
3
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What a sadness ...
Maurizio, Turin/Italy
20/09/2016 02:26
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5
1

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