One of the first responders adopted a dog.
A plane transporting 53 dogs along with three humans crashed on a snowy Wisconsin golf course on Tuesday. While it was a rough landing, there’s a happy ending to the story.
The aircraft, a twin-engine turboprop, was on its way from New Orleans to the Waukesha County Airport in Wisconsin. It was carrying crates full of dogs who were destined for shelters in the state, where they were to be adopted by loving families.
The aircraft crashed on the grounds of the Western Lakes Golf Club when it was less than four miles away from the airport at around 9 am.
The plane came to rest on its landing gear, sliding from the fifth hole of the golf course to the second and third.
Matthew Haerter, assistant chief at Lake Country Fire and Rescue, described the landing as “relatively catastrophic” during a news conference. According to Haerter, the wings of the aircraft were torn off when it went through trees before coming to a stop several hundred feet away from the intended landing spot.
Firefighters from the area immediately responded to the crash site to help the golf course workers who were already there trying to provide assistance.
Despite over 300 gallons of fuel spilling from the plane, the wings absorbed most of the fuel, reducing the risk of an explosion from the fuselage.
Federal aviation authorities are investigating the cause of the crash while the three individuals who were on the plane were taken to a hospital for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The dogs, fortunately, did not sustain any significant injuries, and veterinarians provided them with necessary care at the scene before sending them to various nearby shelters.
Jennifer Smieja, a representative of the Humane Animal Welfare Society, said to BuzzFeed News that the dogs are doing very well after the crash. They only suffered minor injuries, but their behavioral conditions going forward are uncertain.
According to Jennifer Smieja,the organization will be offering free behavior training sessions to individuals who adopt any of the dogs in case they have difficulties with crate training in the future due to their experience.
Out of the 53 dogs that were on board the plane, 21 were taken in by HAWS and they have been given the name “Western Lakes Loves.” As of now, four of these dogs have already been adopted and found their forever homes.
Firefighter Tony Wasielewski, who was one of the first responders on the scene, has adopted a dog from the plane crash.
Wasielewski shared with the Washington Post that he felt the need to take home the dog who had jumped into his arms and licked him after being rescued.
When he went to the HAWS shelter to visit the dog, she instantly recognized him and ran to him and started giving him kisses. Wasielewski shared that it was an instant connection and he knew that he wanted to adopt her.
Read More: BuzzFeed News