Photos: 46 dogs recovering from burns after U.P. explosion

Originally published on Mlive

Dogs that were rescued after an explosion at an Upper Peninsula residence is healing from burn wounds. About 46 dogs rescued from the explosion and fire are receiving care at Mackinac County Animal Shelter. The explosion occurred at a residence in Hessel, Mich. The owner of the dogs is still hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident on Nov. 26, 2020.Courtesy of Paws in Paradise

HESSEL, MI – More than 40 dogs are recovering at an animal shelter after a gas explosion at an Upper Peninsula residence in late November.

Many of the 46 dogs rescued from the fire suffered facial burns, including around their eyes and on their ears and snouts, photos show. Many of their bellies were also burned. Part of one dog’s snout melted off. Most of them are also underweight and may have been abused or neglected prior to the fire, officials said.

A dog that was rescued after an explosion at an Upper Peninsula residence is healing from burn wounds. About 46 dogs rescued from the explosion and fire are receiving care at Mackinac County Animal Shelter. The explosion occurred at a residence in Hessel, Mich. The owner of the residence and dogs is still hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident on Nov. 26, 2020.Courtesy of Paws in Paradise

The dogs and their owner were rescued by an off-duty firefighter who ran to the scene.

“It’s going to be a long road ahead for some of these sweet pups,” the Mackinac Animal Aid Association said in an update posted to Facebook last week.

The Mackinac County Animal Shelter is caring for the dogs with the help of volunteers, veterinarians and donations collected by MAAA.

“The dogs’ burns and health are improving daily,” the shelter said in an update posted to Facebook on Sunday.

A dog that was rescued after an explosion at a residence receives care at Mackinac County Animal Shelter. The explosion occurred at a residence in Hessel, Mich. The owner of about 46 dogs that were rescued is still hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident on Nov. 26, 2020.Courtesy of Mackinac County Animal Shelter

The explosion was ignited when the dog owner lit a cigarette too close to gas cans that had leaked fumes at her residence in Hessel, said Mackinac County Undersheriff Ed Wilk. She was injured and remains hospitalized at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor.

Not only are many of the dogs recovering from burns, but most were also underweight, said Tina Newsome, animal shelter administrator.

The dogs had ribs and hip bones showing from being malnourished, MAAA said in an update.

The Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office is investigating suspected animal abuse or neglect related to the dogs’ condition and treatment prior to the fire, Wilk said.

The dog owner, who could face criminal charges, had recently moved to Hessel from Alaska. Police believe the dogs may have been used for sled dog racing.

A dog that was rescued after an explosion at a residence is snuggled at Mackinac County Animal Shelter. The explosion occurred at a residence in Hessel, Mich. The owner of about 46 dogs that were rescued is still hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident on Nov. 26, 2020.Courtesy of Mackinac County Animal Shelter

Most of the dogs were chained outside while some were in the residence at the time of the explosion, Wilk said.

An off-duty firefighter who lives in the area of the incident was first on the scene. He ran to residence, pulled the woman out and then “chucked the dogs out as fast as he could,” Wilk said. Dogs chained close to the structure were released so they could get away; about a dozen dogs were let loose. Police tracked down most of the dogs, but 10 days after the incident, one was still missing.

The firefighter was hospitalized after the incident.

The animal aid group is collecting donations to support the medical needs of the recovering dogs. Donations can be sent to Mackinac Animal Aid Association, PO Box 71, St. Ignace, MI 49781.

The dogs are not available for adoption at this time and could be returned to their owner pending her recovery and the outcome of the criminal investigation.