Woman says rescue dog saved her life after ‘high levels’ of carbon monoxide detected in home
FILE - A photo of Luna, Samantha Griffin's two-year-old rescue husky. (Samantha Griffin)
An Indiana woman is thankful to her rescue dog after she claims the pooch alerted her to "high levels" of carbon monoxide in her home, saving her life.
On June 24, Samantha Griffin was suffering from a migraine and decided to go lay down to take a nap.
Migraines were not uncommon for Griffin. However, what was out of the ordinary was Luna’s behavior. Luna was Griffin’s two-year-old husky she adopted last year.
"She would not let me sleep," Griffin told FOX TV Stations. "She kept pouncing on me and it was hard enough it left bruises."
Hoping to allow her dog to expel her extra energy, Griffin took Luna out on several walks, all day long.
FILE - Luna enjoying some grass outdoors. (Samantha Griffin)
Griffin had originally adopted Luna as an emotional support animal as she suffers from PTSD. The dog had become trained to comfort Griffin during times of distress and had even begun naturally detecting when Griffin would suffer migraines or had low sugar levels.
"While she can be stubborn, she is very intelligent," Griffin said.
After coming back home from yet another walk, Griffin said that her carbon monoxide alarm went off at about 8 p.m. local time.
So she called her apartment complex’s maintenance office who then contacted the local fire department.
The fire department and gas company arrived to the complex and both concluded that Griffin’s apartment had high levels of carbon monoxide. There were even traces of carbon monoxide detected in the apartment below her.
The gas company was able to pinpoint the leak to a water heater, which was quickly replaced.
"When I told him (the gas company worker) about what Luna did, he told me that she saved my life," Griffin said.
"I am very grateful for Luna. I thank God for her being in my life and I thank Speedway Animal Rescue for giving me the chance to adopt her. She has made my life so much better. Not just with the carbon monoxide leak, but with my PTSD," Griffin said.
FILE - Luna relaxing on the couch. (Samantha Griffin)
Dangers of carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can become deadly at high volumes.
Hundreds of people in the United States die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning every year, according to the National Safety Council.
Dubbed the "invisible killer," carbon monoxide is produced by burning car or truck fuel, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, portable generators or furnaces.
If the gas gets a chance to build up in enclosed space, people or animals who breathe it in can become poisoned.
The National Safety Council recommends residents install a battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near each sleeping area of the home.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.