BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio — A car careened off the Interstate 480 and crashed into the building of Camp Bow Wow in Bedford Heights early Sunday morning.
The car caught fire and rolled onto its side, coming to rest inside the building which was filled with 49 dogs at the time.
Dramatic body camera video showed Bedford Heights police officers rescue the car's driver and pull her to safety.
"The electric went out and there was a big boom," said Crystal Walko, who lives across the street from the doggy day care.
Walko said she grabbed leashes and headed to the crash with her husband when she learned what happened.
"I'm an animal rescuer," said Walko, owner of Streetsboro-based Healing Hearts Ferret Rescue. "I rescue ferrets."
Firefighters put out the flames, and opened cages and kennels ushering the dogs out the front door.
"It was just like dog comes out, fireman comes out with a dog in his arms, you just grab the dog," said Walko.
She, rescuers and volunteers helped lead 48 of the 49 dogs to safety.
Police said the other dog died of suspected smoke inhalation.
The woman driving the car that crashed into the building was taken to the hospital, but police did not believe she suffered any serious injuries.
Bedford Heights Police Chief Michael Marotta said officers do not believe alcohol or drugs played in roll in the crash.
"Her story was she was swerving to avoid somebody changing lanes which caused her to go off the road," said Marotta.
A note on the door of Camp Bow Wow said it would be closed until further notice.
A manager at the scene told us that all the dogs had been picked up or relocated to another facility.
While he said his heart goes out to the family that lost its pet, Marotta praised his officers, firefighters, and others who helped out at the scene.
"The best outcome that we possibly could have happen, happened," said Marotta.
Walko, who has five dogs of her own, said she felt she had to do something.
"I would hope somebody would step in to save my babies, yes," said Walko.
