Officer Saves Dog from Burning Home

Watch the report and bodycam footage HERE››

Posted: Mon 7:02 PM, Nov 02, 2015

TILDEN, Wis. (WEAU)- A local officer is shown on video running into a burning house and saving a family dog from a devastating fire Friday night.

The home belongs to Staci and Jim Sullivan’s family, whose home firefighters say was a total loss.

Fortunately, no one was in the home during the fire, except for the Sullivan’s dog, Maggie.

That dog was saved by Officer Craig Mantzke who was the first person on scene; and a dash cam and body camera captured his efforts, running into the house and saving the dog.

Mantzke says the video released by the Chippewa Falls Police Department shows just what any other person in his position would do.

“Between the dog and several other indicators in the house that other people were still in there, your heart kind of sinks a little bit, you’re their last line of defense potentially,” Mantzke said.

The Sullivan’s say it’s been difficult and they are just living day by day, after the fire left them without a home, but are just thankful no one was hurt, especially their dog Maggie who was the only one home during the fire.

Initially, Mantzke ran into the house looking for any people and found the Sullivan’s 8-year-old shih tzu Maggie.

“I think if we were in the same position we’d be absolutely elated, if somebody were able to save our pet or do what they could to save our pets, those are big parts of families,” Mantzke said.

The Sullivan’s have lived in their home for 12 years, with Maggie being a part of most of them. They say they can’t express enough gratitude for Officer Mantzke.

Mantzke says he could only hear the dog barking once inside the home.

Chippewa Falls Patrol Lieutenant Matt Kelm says Mantzke was doing what any officer would do.

“He has to make the determination once he gets up to the point whether he can make any type of entry, but if he can do so, even putting himself at some risk, if he can do so, then he does and he did in this case,” Kelm said.

The Sullivan’s say they are grateful for everyone’s efforts and are focusing on getting their feet planted for their family and children.

The Chippewa Falls Police Department say this is what officers and firefighters do on a daily basis, and this video of Officer Mantzke allows people to get a first-hand perspective of what they do.

If you’d like to help the Sullivan’s, a link to their donation page or view the full dash cam and body camera video from the Chippewa Falls Police Department, click on the links to the right.

See the original report and raw body camera footage HERE››