Ten dogs killed in Edwardsburg house fire

EDWARDSBURG, Mich. – A house fire took the lives of 10 rescued dogs after flames tore through the kitchen of a home on the 70000-block of Beach Drive at around 4 p.m. on Monday, one dog survived but ran away.

According to Chief Bruce Stack of the Edwardsburg Fire Department the cause of the fire appears to be accidental and fire fighters were able to keep it contained to the kitchen area of the home.

Pam Frisette, who has lived in the house with her husband for 18-years, was first alerted to the fire when a neighbor called her at work.  Her immediate concern was for the dogs she sheltered in her home.

“My husband and I adopt or rescue animals that are handicapped or are senior citizens that nobody wants or that only have a few years left that people turn into the shelters,” Frisette explained, fighting back tears.  “I was really hoping that some of them would make it.”

Unfortunately, 10 of the dogs died in the fire.  Fire fighters were able to rescue and revive one dog, but in the confusion the dog ran away.

“She’s a brindle dog with white legs and a white tuxedo and she’s 50-pounds,” Frisette described.  “She’s a pit-bull mix, but she’s a big baby and her name is Maya.”

Frisette is asking for anyone who may have found or seen Maya to return the dog and give her some sort of a happy ending to what has been a devastating incident.

“I just need to get her back,” Frisette said.  “I just hope everybody takes care of all their animals and gives them a hug tonight, you don’t know when you might lose them.”

Maya was last seen wearing a pink-striped collar.  She also has an embedded micro-chip which can be scanned if she’s brought in to area vets or shelters.

If you know anything about Maya’s whereabouts Pam Frisette can be reached at 574.202.9908.  You may also contact the East Shore Animal Hospital at 269.663.7387.