After Oakland firefighters melted hearts around the world for helping a distressed pigeon, an act of interspecies kindness shared widely online, the Oakland Fire Department is getting recognition from the world’s largest animal rights organization.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, honored the department with a Compassionate Fire Department Award for the July 12 rescue.
After responding to a vehicle fire on 73rd Avenue in East Oakland, firefighters with Engine 29 were approached by a pigeon that appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation. Crews fitted the bird with a tiny mask and administered oxygen. After clearing its lungs, the pigeon flew away.
The avian rescue was captured on video and posted on the Oakland firefighter union’s Instagram page. As of publication, the video has more than 31 million views. Seth Olyer, president of the firefighters’ union, said he’s been contacted by the BBC, People magazine, and other publications about the viral moment…