Dog Saves Owner, Scott Dunn, From Fire; Dies In Blaze (VIDEO)

A Cobb County, Georgia man is alive today because of his best friend's heroic act.

Scott Dunn was sick when he fell asleep on his couch next to his 3-and-a-half-year-old boxer, Duncan, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When he awoke to the dog pawing at him at around 3:30 a.m., Dunn thought Duncan just wanted to go for a walk.

But, when Dunn opened his eyes to a roomful of smoke, he realized something was terribly wrong, according to CBS Atlanta.

"Duncan was covered up with me, and I fell asleep, and the next thing I knew, he was poking at me and barking," Dunn told the AJC. "Normally, that means he needs to go out, but when I woke up, I couldn’t see because there was smoke."

Dunn grabbed his keys and headed for his truck, holding Duncan by the collar. When he reached the vehicle, he found the collar in his hand, but no dog attached to it. Though Dunn wanted to go back into the house to fetch his pooch, he told the AJC his neighbors convinced him not to.

Duncan was found curled up on Dunn's bed after firefighters put out the blaze.

"That's my boy. He saved my life," Dunn told CBS. "He saved my life, but I couldn't return the favor. It was too hot in there. I couldn't get back in there."

Northeast Cobb Patch reported that the fire crews assisted Dunn in burying the dog before leaving the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but much of the house was destroyed during the incident.

WATCH Scott Dunn's emotional interview with CBS Atlanta:

WATCH Related Video:

Comments

[Barbina]

11:44 PM on 11/28/2011

There's something fishy in this story. Animals do panic, but animals are no suicidal, so why the dog would hide in the house and not come out when he heard the owner's voice and he could see and feel the fire? And to say the man realized he had just the collar and not the dog, how heavy is the collar and how heavy is the dog??? Yes, he was crying, but crying without tears, not even one tear. I feel bad for him he lost everything, but I do feel bad for that innocent animal whose owner didn't seem to care enough letting him die burned inside the house. This story isn't acceptable.! I hope animals activists will investigate.

[kevinthechamp]

02:27 AM on 11/16/2011

You werent there when it happened, so how do you know if he intentionally did it or not. As far as the pics go, who knows theyre probably old pics on his FB page or something

[T003]

02:40 PM on 11/06/2011

****** IMPORTANT REMINDER *****

Today is a good day for everyone to TEST YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS
((( and PUT IN FRESH BATTERIES even if the old batteries seem fine!! )))


Please pass this message on to your family and friends............

[lostnew]

08:45 PM on 11/04/2011

Here is this information on how to help Scott, because the house is more or less gone, this is his post office box set up to help:

Scott Dunn P.O. Box 103, Marietta, GA 30061

Also, and alternatively:

A fund has also been set up at Wells Fargo Bank for Scott. It's called the 'Scott Dunn Donation Fund.' To donate, just go in person to any Wells Fargo branch.

Friends set up the P.O. box for delivery by mail.

Please forward to any of your friends who might be interested in helping Scott.

[Suzie622]

09:01 PM on 11/05/2011

If Dunn was sick and asleep on the sofa, he most likely was already dresses with clothes, cap and boots on! His cell phone was probably already in his pocket. He said he got his "keys", not got dressed, got his cap and put his boots on and then got his keys. Also, his truck was moved away from the house because it contained gas.

I feel very sad over this whole ordeal and yes, I believe Dunn! What would he gain by destroying his own home and losing his dog? Nothing! When it was over, he owned the clothes on his back, cell phone, his truck and that's it!

[pooka]

12:38 AM on 11/04/2011

Please stop bashing this man who has been through a horrific experience. The man was sick, it was three in the morning, he probably left the door open when he ran out to MOVE his truck, not drive it away, and Duncan ran back in. He moved his truck because it was in the path of the fire. He probably though Duncan was outside on the lawn somewhere. IT WAS DARK. It was chaotic.

Animals are very unpredictable in fires. So are people. Ask any fireman. Animals hide, so do children. This is so sad. Don't blame this poor man who has lost everything, including his beloved and heroic pet.

[lovfunmnky]

05:01 PM on 11/06/2011

I do not know the situation but I can tell you that yes animals panic in fires but never would anything keep me from going back into my home to save the pet who saved my life... This is horrible.. Though it is great he is alive it makes you wonder why he deserves to be. Not to mention his story is not consistent with whichever news person he speaks to.. Though he lost his house and things in it those can be replaced for the most part, his dog cannot. So I think that anyone who truly loves animals would say that yes we have a right to bash him. I would believe that the dog hid but he was exactly where he said that he woke him up so there is no way he thought that he saved him holding his collar.

[animallover007]

04:45 AM on 11/07/2011

Amen!!

[Andrea Buschman]

11:23 AM on 11/03/2011

What a sad but beautiful story.

[kimyo1973]

07:39 AM on 11/03/2011

The news reporter said his neighbor pulled the truck out while he tried to get his dog so give the guy a break. He was crying nervous and everything else. Is that all you people have to say is negative comments. You didn't have to go threw what he did. As my mom always said unless you don't have anything good to say don't say nothing. I'm praying for you scott dunn.

[Nikita007]

08:04 AM on 11/03/2011

If that's so, then someone IS lying.

The guy in a video interview said HE got into his truck and drove it away from the house.

So there ya go - there's a whole lotta questions that need to be answered before I can believe a story like that - let alone donate any money to HIS FUND (which most likely I wouldn't have done anyway, there's so many others that really need it - starving kids with no parents etc.)

[lostnew]

08:20 PM on 11/04/2011

I cant state for a fact the media, and people under extreme stress and duress almost NEVER gets details or facts completely right.
Some of these reports on Scotts fire even says his dog was a mixed breed, yet others state he is a BOXER and the photo clearly proves it.
All you need to know is in the proof of the video- his house burned to the ground with everything he owned except his truck and clothes on his back, but hey, you dont have to donate one red cent, but as a dog owner- I certainly WILL send a check.

"there's so many others that really need it - starving kids with no parents etc."

Wow, like they dont already have a plethora of govt, state, local, city and charity resources, welfare, foster care system, foodstamps and funds as it is! but yeah you send $5 into those for "needy children" and see how far the 4 cents left over after the CEO's, fatcats on the govt payroll dole making $500,000 a year goes.

$5 would help Scott a lot more, his house in google street view is obviously a very very plain, unadorned, modest WORKINGMAN'S house, he is a remodelling contractor, which today means he is hurting for income and trying to find jobs as it is, now he has the loss of his home and all to deal with.

[lostnew]

09:24 PM on 11/04/2011

Dunn, a self-employed contractor, said he is working with his insurance company to see if they will allow him to rebuild his house.

“I don’t want anybody else living in that house with my boy being buried in the backyard. Some way, shape or form, I’m going to come up with the money for a headstone, too. I want to honor and recognize (Duncan)"

"When I woke up, I saw smoke from the ceiling to the floor,” Dunn said.

He picked up a few personal belongings, grabbed Duncan by his collar and headed out of the house,"

The last part and the videos show; 1) he woke up and there was only SMOKE, so he grabbed his keys etc etc,

2) when he OPENED the DOOR the fire burst out- typical fromt he rush of oxygen- the room explodes into a wall of flame where there was only SMOKE and a tiny fire.

Obviously he had a few seconds to grab his cell, keys, put on his boots- because at that point (before he opened the DOOR) there was only dense SMOKE floor to ceiling in the room.
It wasnt till he opened the door the room burst into flames. Of course fools dont examine this and ASSume he was standing there with flames all around him putting on his cap, looking for his keys and cell and calmly putting his boots on

[lostnew]

08:19 PM on 11/04/2011

v

[okokok]

01:34 AM on 11/03/2011

I'm beginning to wonder who took the photo of the pooch on his back? Running out of his door in smoke? And why the dog is on his back.....and why he suddenly claims all he had was the collar, something that probably happened on numerous dog walks. And why were there no tears running down his face?

[lostnew]

08:22 PM on 11/04/2011

In a very short edited "interview" clip you are demanding tears too now as proof of something?

[lostnew]

08:51 PM on 11/04/2011

"I'm beginning to wonder who took the photo of the pooch on his back? Running out of his door in smoke? And why the dog is on his back...."

I dont see smoke in that photo, I see a grainy poor cell phone camera, for all you know a friend or someone took the photo months ago of Scott horseplaying with the dog and provided it to the media to use- it would be typical the reporter would ask about family/personal albums/website/blog photos to use.
The dog was on his back obviously to me- horseplaying- that's not a full grown ADULT dog on Scotts back.

[kevinthechamp]

02:23 AM on 11/16/2011

Maybe he took it a long time ago before the fire

[Tim Leahey]

11:41 PM on 11/02/2011

Sad story but somethings nagging me about it. Duncan looks just like my boxer and there is no hot hot enough for me not to go back inside. They would have found me cuddling with my dog or outside alive with my dog. While i agree in a panic things happen theres more to this story. Judge Judy says if a story doesnt make sense its not true, if its not true its a lie. Hate to accuse someone of such a foul deed but maybe its an accident caused by his smoking habit and hes trying to fix it in his head.

[Nikita007]

08:05 AM on 11/03/2011

Tim, this guy was so "panicked", yet he had time to dress and put his boots on, look for his keys and his cell phone, even put on his cap!

[lostnew]

08:26 PM on 11/04/2011

"but maybe its an accident caused by his smoking habit"

WRONG, it's been reported there was an electric SPACE HEATER in the room running, knowing how crappy these things are made with substandard bare minimum wiring, and having one of them catch fire in my bedroom, I can state these fire causing space heaters are accidents waiting to happen.
They draw 1500 watts of current and the power cords get very hot, a neighbor had one running and all I did was step on the cord and it shorted out under my shoe- the cord had softened up enough from being too hot that when I stepped on it it pushed the copper wires together.
MY heater had a plastic case, and internal fan, the fan FAILED and I woke up because I had 4 big dogs crowding me on the bed and when I woke up there were FLAMES from the burning plastic case.
I grabbed the cord to carry it outside and yanked it out of the socket- it shorted out but I threw the damn thing out the front door into the snow.
All that was left was screws and the metal fan and coils.

[travelingblogger]

09:21 PM on 11/02/2011

Things with this story just don't add up. Way too many questions. My theory is that Dunn set the house on fire and intentionally left Duncan inside to garner more sympathy. He's very inconsistent in his story.

Dunn had plenty of time to dress and still grab the dog and get out safely. My sister and her husband had a housfire in early morning several years ago where they literally had seconds to get out. The only thing they grabbed were the dog, 2 sugar gliders, and 2 cats. They stood across the street barefoot in their pj's holding their pets close. That's what true animal lovers do.

This guy is a total fake.

[Nikita007]

08:07 AM on 11/03/2011

I'm happy that your sister and her husband got out safely and with their pets! Sounds like what many of us have done in similar instances - ran outside in bare feet!

This guy even put his cap on before going outside!

[sophie M]

01:35 PM on 11/03/2011

agree. so very sad.
first duty.kids out animals out. at the same time .

[jtobiasmusic]

08:13 PM on 11/02/2011

DUNCAN,I LOVE YOU SO MUCH,AS THE PERSON TRAUMATIZED. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.REIP.

JEFFREY TOBIAS

[jtobiasmusic]

08:08 PM on 11/02/2011

Please everyone hes devastated and just outright upset.There is so many viariables that he was going through.He loved Duncan? Come on he was so Distraught.I know hes going through so mmuch and distraqught. lets be postive,avoid negativeness. Hes very heartbroken about Duncan.RIP,duncan you are with the ANGELS, and all the many beautriful Dogs that have been abused, and neglected. Im so sad about bthius.J Tobias Music

[Nikita007]

07:15 PM on 11/02/2011

"He woke me up," said Dunn. "I couldn't see him because of all the smoke. I looked to my left, and all of the bedrooms were on fire."

It was 3:00 in the morning. Dunn grabbed his pet by the collar and the two made it out of the home. After moving his car out of the car port, Dunn realized Duncan was gone.

For some reason, the dog had run back inside the burning home.

____________________________

Why didn't he take the dog INSIDE the truck with him?

Supposedly, the dog ran back into the house - and he ran right through the FIRE - and got on the bed.

HUH?

[sliceshy]

09:01 PM on 11/02/2011

Agree! I don't believe his many stories and his fake crying is too much to watch, he should be ashamed!

[animallover007]

04:48 AM on 11/07/2011

Yes he should! This whole story is quite pathetic. No blaze would keep me from savings my pets. He was more worried about his truck and cap. Very sick!!!!

[lostnew]

08:40 PM on 11/04/2011

"Supposedly­, the dog ran back into the house - and he ran right through the FIRE - and got on the bed"

You were THERE in person I presume, and know for a fact where the fire was in relation to the front door right? draw up a floor plan of how this was, in fact you are WRONG, the dog did not go back thru the front door into fire to the bedroom.

You ask "why didnt he.."

Oh YEAH, real easy to judge someone else AFTER the event basing conclusions on what YOU think they "SHOULD" have done or acted like, not everyone reacts the same to anything, especially a house fire.
If the cops suspected a deliberate fire they'd have announced it already, arson is pretty easy to tell, this fire was caused by a SPACE HEATER in the room, if anyone is to blame it's the crooked chinese manufacturer of that unsafe piece of junk that should be outlawed by the FDA as hazardous. 1500 watts and a flimsy 16 GA powercord these things have on them is a recipe for FIRE.

[Nikita007]

06:51 PM on 11/02/2011

http://marietta.11alive.com/news/news/88629-marietta-final-act-rescued-dog-save-his-owner

Very sad story - but WHY wouldn't you grab your dog and throw him in the truck BEFORE you even get inside your truck and start it?
_________
Quote: "Dunn and his 3-year-old boxer Duncan were asleep together on the couch when the pup started barking and pawing at his owner.

"He woke me up," said Dunn. "I couldn't see him because of all the smoke. I looked to my left, and all of the bedrooms were on fire."

It was 3:00 in the morning. Dunn grabbed his pet by the collar and the two made it out of the home. After moving his car out of the car port, Dunn realized Duncan was gone.

For some reason, the dog had run back inside the burning home.

"I still had his collar in my hand," said Dunn. "I ran back in the house, but I didn't make it to the kitchen sink. It was too hot."

YOU LEAVE YOUR DOG OUTSIDE ON HIS OWN while you drive your truck away from the house?

[lostnew]

08:29 PM on 11/04/2011

He had a TRUCK- his livlihood, not a car

[digital2go]

06:27 PM on 11/02/2011

How fast was the guy running to rip off his dogs collar?

[Nikita007]

06:52 PM on 11/02/2011

Looks like he got his dog outside the house - left his dog waiting outside, while HE drove his truck away from the house - and then "suddenly" found that he was holding his dog collar without the dog?

This guy's story keeps changing with every video interview I watch!