San Diego Humane Society decontaminates pets covered in jet fuel after plane crash
At least 12 pets impacted by the plane crash arrived at the Humane Society Thursday morning to be assessed by the medical team.
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Humane Society cared for multiple displaced animals Thursday morning after a small plane crashed into a neighborhood in Tierrasanta.
Police said the crash happened just before 4 a.m. in the area of Sample and Salmon Street. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said at least 10 homes were affected by the crash, leading to evacuations. SDFD said the incident is being treated as a HAZMAT situation, due to the flow of plane fuel going down neighborhood streets.
The Humane Society arrived on the scene shortly after to take care of any displaced and injured animals. According to a post by the Humane Society on X, at least 12 pets impacted by the crash were taken back to the organization's San Diego Campus to be assessed by the medical team.
The organization said it had received reports of dogs possibly being covered in jet fuel. The Humane Society's medical team then suited up to wash and decontaminate any pets who may have fuel on their fur.
After being cleaned, the animals were taken into the Humane Society's care facility, where they had their pictures taken. The animals will stay in the care facility until they are reunited with their owners.
The Humane Society's Emergency Response Team also deployed to the crash site on Thursday to join the Humane Law Enforcement officers in assisting animals at the scene. The Emergency Response Team is a unit of 5-6 highly trained people who are approved to go into a HAZMAT situation. The team went through homes in the neighborhoods impacted by the plane crash to make sure that no animals were left behind.
"It's devastating. People's homes are destroyed. Their animals are absolutely terrified and having a tough time getting through this, but this is what we're here for," said Chelsi Caspersen, a sergeant with the Humane Society.
If you had to leave your animals behind after the plane crash, the San Diego Humane Society asks that you call them at 619-299-7012 (and press 1 for Dispatch). You can also visit this site if your pet is missing.
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