By EMS1 Staff
SAN FRANCISCO — A woman accused a paramedic of taking a puppy from her home after a crew was called to help her husband in a medical emergency.
NBC Bay Area reported that a San Francisco Fire Department EMS crew arrived at the woman’s home after she called for help with her husband who had fallen ill after a dialysis treatment.
As two paramedics were treating her husband, the woman said a third paramedic suddenly asked to take a puppy.
“I say, ‘You can come back tomorrow and take the dog. Take care of my husband first,’” the woman said.
The woman said the paramedic then insisted on taking the puppy at that moment, and the woman gave in because she feared the paramedics would not transport him to the hospital without the dog.
Kevin Chung, a family friend, worked with the fire department to track down the puppy, which was reportedly given to the paramedic’s friend.
“It’s crazy. I mean, you shouldn’t be taking advantage of these people during that situation -- in her condition, in his condition,” Chung said.
The family said a fire captain visited them and said the puppy would be returned to them on Nov. 21 after a health quarantine, and the paramedic will face disciplinary action.