MADISON COUNTY, Ill. — A tragic highway fire in southern Illinois took the lives of several dogs being transported for adoption — but one lucky pup, Guapo, survived and has found a loving new home.
Tragic Fire on I-270 Kills Seven Rescue Dogs
The fire broke out late Friday night on Interstate 270 in Madison County, engulfing a transport van carrying multiple rescue dogs from Texas to New York. The incident led to the death of seven dogs and left four others injured, according to rescue officials.
Julia Stanzer, director of Belle’s Buds Rescue in Houston, received a late-night call about the devastating fire. “I’m still waiting to wake up from the nightmare,” she said. “I was just bawling my eyes out.”
One Dog Spotted Running Along the Highway
Meanwhile, Jordan Antonovich and her daughter were stuck in traffic near mile marker 11 when they saw a dog running scared in the middle of the highway.
“At one point when traffic parted, this poor little Goldendoodle-looking dog was just running straight down the middle of the road,” Antonovich recalled. “You could just tell from far away he was beat up.”
That dog, later identified as an Eskidoodle, was given the name Guapo.
Quick Action Saves Guapo’s Life
With help from Illinois State Police, Antonovich was able to catch Guapo and rush him to Hawthorne Animal Hospital under a police escort. Vets there discovered severe burns on his paws, face, and underside.
Antonovich later told her husband she couldn’t stop thinking about Guapo. “I knew right away I had to keep him,” she said.
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A New Home and a Second Chance
After treatment, Guapo was adopted by the Antonovich family through Belle’s Buds Rescue. “What was meant to be was for him to stay with Jordan and her family,” said Tammy Livingston of the rescue. “That’s what he needs. He needs them.”
Antonovich said the family plans to give him the middle name “Lucky.” She added, “His future with us is going to be so full of love.”
You can read more about the rescue in the original report from KSDK News.
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