Dog saves family from burning Haverhill home

HAVERHILL, Mass. -- Flames tore through a home on Bard Street in Haverhill early Tuesday morning, but everyone inside got out safely thanks to an alert from their dog.

The family says Bear, a goldendoodle, never barks, but he made sure the mother and her two children got out safely.

“[Bear] started barking, woke them up and that’s how they got out of the house,” said Tom Ferrarini, a neighbor.

The 1.5-year-old dog got the Haverhill family out before the smoke detectors went off.

“The whole side of the house was on fire…It was pretty intense,” said a Rodney Nutter.

Firefighter and neighbor Nutter became the family’s second savior. Nutter, who was off duty at the time, ran over to help. He wasn’t sure if the family had gotten out, so without his gear he ran into the home.

“You would do that for your neighbors. I love them. We watch out for each other’s kids, we watch out for each other’s house,” said Nutter.

Nutter realized the family was out safe and went back inside.

“Grabbed some Christmas presents right near the door because I figured if anything should happen to this house they shouldn’t lose all the Christmas presents,” said Nutter.

The family is safe and is staying in a hotel for now. Bear is staying with the neighbors.

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