While visiting a firehouse in twentieth-century New York City, it wouldn't be surprising to encounter a dog, cat, bird, or even a fox, monkey, or turtle lounging near the firetruck. As author Peggy Gavan writes, these animals all served as a "working partner, good-luck charm, comforting companion, or lifesaving hero" for the city's firemen. Gavan tells the heroic tales of the city's firehouse pets in her latest book, The Bravest Pets of Gotham: Tales of Four-Legged Firefighters of Old New York.
Micky and Jack of Engine 47, Courtesy of the Collection of the Connecticut Firemen's Historical Society
In the book, readers will uncover the history of New York's fire horses, find out why Dalmatians became the de facto firehouse dog, and learn about the "happy families" of animals who inhabited firehouses alongside their human counterparts. Gavan gave Untapped New York a taste of what's inside by sharing the story of Chief, a courageous and award-winning firehouse dog who can still be seen in New York City...
On November 13th, join author and volunteer firefighter Peggy Gavan for a live, virtual talk where she'll introduce us to more of New York City's fearless, four-legged first responders. This virtual talk is free for Untapped New York Members at the Fan tier or higher. Not a member yet? Join today and get 7 days free!
The Bravest Pets of Gotham: Tales of Four-Legged Firefighters of Old New York with Peggy Gavan
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In 1936, Chief, the veteran firedog of Brooklyn’s Engine 203, won medals of honor for heroism from the New York Women’s League for Animals and the ASPCA. Dog World Magazine also awarded him with an international diploma of honor and inducted him in the Dog World Canine Hall of Honor for saving several lives. He also won an Animal Hero Medal from the New York Anti-Vivisection Society for his “heroism, intelligence and loyalty.” Although he despised all the neighborhood cats, Chief received all these accolades for saving felines. According to Dog World Magazine, Chief’s actions to save cats’ lives were “unparalleled in canine history.”
Taken in as a stray one winter night in 1929, when the five-year-old black-and-tan mutt walked into the station and curled up near a steam pipe, Chief served ten years with Engine 203 at 533 Hicks Street. During his years of service, Chief demonstrated many acts of bravery and heroism. He rode with the company to every fire and was always the first to leap off the engine and run into a building to scout for victims. He even had his own special-made leather turnout coat, helmet, and raincoat. Chief could recognize all the bells and signals, and he knew exactly which signal meant that his company was responding to a call (he never made a mistake). On fire scenes, Chief would supervise the firemen and alert them if he knew something was wrong. Having mastered climbing the seventy-five-foot extension ladder, he’d run up the ladder if that’s what it took to warn his fellow firemen.
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A portion of book sales from copies of The Bravest Pets of Gotham: Tales of Four-Legged Firefighters of Old New York purchased directly from the author will go to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. To order a book, email Gavan at hatchingcat@gmail.com
The Bravest Pets of Gotham: Tales of Four-Legged Firefighters of Old New York with Peggy Gavan
After Chief died in 1939, the dog was taxidermied and set in a place of honor at the firehouse. Today, the stuffed canine hero is part of the permanent collection of the New York City Fire Museum. The museum is currently closed, but once it re-opens you can visit Chief on the first-floor gallery.
