Officers responding to a fast-moving wildfire in northern Greece paused evacuation efforts to carry a frightened dog out of the fire zone

As a fast-moving wildfire forced people to flee their homes in northern Greece, police officers spotted someone else who needed help: a frightened dog trapped in the fire zone.

The rescue happened near the city of Thessaloniki, where officers responding to the wildfire carried the dog to safety while firefighters and emergency crews worked to evacuate nearby communities. Video released by the Thessaloniki Police Officers’ Union shows the officers gently removing the animal from the smoky area before carrying it away from the flames.

The union shared the footage while recognizing the officers who spent days helping residents escape the fires, along with firefighters, aircraft crews and volunteers battling the blaze.

In its statement, the union said officers had been working “under extremely difficult conditions” to evacuate affected areas and guide residents to safety. It also praised firefighters and volunteers who helped contain the wildfire.

Rather than focusing only on the rescue itself, the union said it wanted the video to remind people of the compassion behind the badge.

“We are sharing the following video so that even the most skeptical can understand that behind the uniform are HUMAN BEINGS,” the statement read, adding that the officers involved in the rescue “deserve tremendous praise.”

The dog’s condition was not disclosed, but the rescue offered one small moment of relief as emergency crews continued responding to the wildfire burning outside Thessaloniki.

Source: https://people.com/police-run-into-flames-to-rescue-dog-from-wildfire-in-greece-12012533