West, Texas, Pets Reunited With Owners, But Others Still Missing In Community Devastated By Blast

[ashling]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/30/west-texas-pets-reunited-missing-orphaned_n_3181745.html?ref=topbar

In the wake of the devastating explosion at West Fertilizer Co. in West, Texas, a shattered community has struggled to cope with more than a dozen deaths and a blast radius that damaged dozens more homes.

Pets, too, were victims of the tragedy, and in the days following the April 17 blast, a dedicated team of law enforcement officers and volunteers have been working tirelessly to find and reunite pets with their owners.

Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton of the Waco Police Department, for example, has been searching through rubble, helping animal control officers locate and evacuate pets, according to CNN.

The veterinary emergency team at Texas A&M University also sent mobile veterinary clinics to help first responders. They have treated a variety of animals, including chickens and a bearded dragon lizard, CNN reports.