Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue was taking 11 dogs to their forever homes in other states when the van caught fire on an Illinois freeway.
HOUSTON — A Houston-area dog rescue group shared a heartbreaking tragedy over the weekend.
A transport van carrying 11 rescued dogs to forever homes in other states caught fire on an Illinois highway. Seven dogs died after being trapped inside.
“Our hearts are broken for the lives lost — beloved pups who were on their way to forever homes. Their adopters are grieving. Their fosters are devastated. The transport team is shattered,” Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue posted on Saturday. “Everyone involved poured love and safety into these dogs. This tragedy has shaken us all to the core.”
They shared photos of the dogs that perished: Sampson, Presto, Clover, Piglet, Lancelot, Poncho and Penny.
They said the transport team was able to save three other dogs before the flames became too intense.
“Words cannot express the grief we feel, nor the gratitude we have for our drivers—true heroes in this unimaginable moment—and for the many people who stepped in to help at the scene.”
One of those good Samaritans saved a fourth dog that she saw running away from the scene, but he was badly burned.
“By some miracle, Guapo made it out alive. A Good Samaritan saw him escape the flames and rushed him to Hawthorne Animal Hospital, where their incredible team acted quickly to save him,” the rescue said on Saturday.
On Monday, CLMR shared a hopeful update on the injured Eskidoodle with KHOU 11.
“Guapo is doing pretty well. He’s got several more weeks of therapy,” CLMR said. “And he’s being adopted by the wonderful lady who saved him as he was running down the highway!”
What we know about the rescue dog van fire
The Illinois State Police told our sister station in St. Louis that the vehicle went up in flames around 11:30 p.m. on Interstate 270 near Glen Carbon. That’s northeast of St. Louis in Madison County.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
In a Facebook post, Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue said the van was headed from Houston to New York with stops along the way to deliver adopted dogs.
After the fire, Sasha, Charlie and Magnolia were safely delivered to their adoptive families.
It’s not uncommon for dogs rescued in Texas to be adopted in other states or Canada, where stricter spay/neuter laws mean fewer strays, unwanted puppies and overcrowded shelters. These nonprofits, run by volunteers, raise money to help with the cost of transporting the dogs or providing care for the ones that stay in Texas.
“While the fire is being investigated, the rescue is hoping that this tragedy honors the lives of those lost by bringing awareness to the many animals in the shelters and even more on the streets,” CLMR told KHOU 11 on Monday. “We can honor Piglet, Pancho, Penny, Lancelot, Clover, Presto, and Stetson(Sampson) by fighting for change to Texas laws, specifically spay/neuter and breeding laws, so that we don’t have the need to transport to other states.”
How you can help
Belle’s Buds Rescue is accepting monetary donations to help with Guapo’s veterinarian bills.