Family’s special service dog dies in fire
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REIDSVILLE, N.C. -- A Reidsville family is starting over after a fire destroyed their home earlier this week.
For those that survived the blaze, the hardest part will be starting over without the fire’s one victim: a Welch corgi named Bandit.
The family says Bandit was more than a pet; he was a specially trained seizure alert dog that not only protected 6-year-old Dakota Suggs, but kept the child company.
"[Bandit] could smell the chemical imbalance in [Dakota’s] body, and when it would get off [and Dakota started] to have a seizure, Bandit knew it before anybody else did,” said mother Jennifer Suggs.
The family says Bandit didn’t leave the house that night because he didn’t know Dakota had already gotten out safely. He died on Dakota’s bed.
"He stayed in there and risked his life for Dakota,” said sister Destiney. “I loved that dog … even though it was supposed to be his.”
For those that survived the blaze, the hardest part will be starting over without the fire’s one victim: a Welch corgi named Bandit.
Though the Red Cross is helping them move forward, the family is still in mourning.
"Hopefully this will be the last time we meet at the disaster site,” said Pat Ottaway-Bryan with the Rockingham County Red Cross. “The next time I'd like us to meet and follow-up at their new home.”
Due to a funding shortfall, officials may not be able to help Dakota get another service dog.
For anyone who would like to help, they can make a donation at the Woodforest National Bank to Dakota Cable Special Needs Dog Fund. The bank is on 2107 Pyramids Village Blvd. in Greensboro. It can be reached by calling 358-0212 or by visiting this website.