Courtesy: James Neiss/Niagara Gazette
Niagara Falls, NY - Its a touching story of loss, and the search for a new home for dogs affected by tragedy.
Last week 2 On Your Side reported on a man who was pulled from the icy waters of Hyde Lake Park in Niagara Falls, after one of his dogs fell into the water.
2 On Your Side received this powerful picture on the right hand side of your screen from the Niagara Gazette, which shows the rescue attempt. As the man who was identified by authorities as Pascal "Pat"Scrufari was being tended to, two of his three anxious dogs watched. One of them even held it's master's glove in it's mouth as this all played out. Scrufari died a short time later at a local hospital.
Friday night Niagara Falls Firefighter Frank Cacciatore who was at the scene of the emergency call adopted all three of Scufari's dogs.
Cacciatore told 2 On Your Side, once he and his family found out that the dogs were being put up for adoption by SPCA of Niagara, they felt they had to get involved. They inquired and were put on a waiting list since the shelter was getting lots of calls from other people interested in adopting them. Before long the family won the approval to bring them home.
The dogs named Chloe, Sheeba, and Zak are now part of the love in Cacciatore's growing family. The new additions are even getting along with the Cacciatore's children and their original dog Lady.
The Cacciatores decided to adopt the dogs after their son Chris asked what was going to happen to them after they were taken to the SPCA. Frank said the process was speeded up when the SPCA found out that he was a local firefighter with a golden retriever of his own. Late Friday afternoon the dogs were placed in their care.
Frank said he believes their original owner Pascal Scrufari would have approved as well, and he felt this was the right thing to do.
"We're a family of pet lovers so there's no problem there, and we know the golden demeanor, they're a beautiful breed and we just love them," said Cacciatore.
His son Chris added, "Its been fun and exciting. Its been a little bit of work, but its been good."
There was a stipulation that came with the adoption. All three dogs had to stay together for the adoption to be approved.