Clarksville Firefighters Help Save Dog on Busy Road

When Samantha Neblett looked out her window Wednesday and saw a small dog darting into traffic on Tiny Town Road, she didn't hesitate. The self-described "huge dog person" ran straight into one of Clarksville's busiest roadways to help.

Drivers swerved carefully around the scared animal as Neblett tried to reach her. Then Clarksville Fire Rescue arrived on scene, and without anyone even calling them, the crew jumped into action.

Firefighters blocked the roadway to protect the dog and the people trying to help her. They tended to the injured 10-year-old rat terrier chihuahua mix, helping save her from what could have been a fatal accident.

"I don't even think anyone called the Clarksville Fire Department," Neblett told Clarksville Now. "But they didn't hesitate to help us."

The rescue team located the dog's owners, who had taken her in after her original owner recently passed away. When Neblett mentioned that her neighbor Sabrina Knear was interested in adopting, the owners initially declined.

But the next day, they changed their minds. They called to say Knear's family could give the dog, now named Frankie, a new home.

Sunny's Take

The timing felt like magic to Knear and her military husband. Just one day earlier, they'd been apartment hunting in Georgia where they're being stationed next, worried about space for their pets.

"I asked, 'What if our family grows,'" Knear said. "So, the day after we started looking at bigger spaces, we find out we're adopting a new dog."

After a Friday morning visit to Montgomery County Animal Control to treat her leg injuries, Frankie will join her new family. Knear can't wait to welcome the senior pup.

"I'm so excited to be able to do this," she said. "I want to give her the best years for however long she has left."

Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery Jr. praised his crew's quick response. "This crew is a great example of what Clarksville Fire Rescue does for this community," he said, highlighting how they live out their values of pride, honor, duty and courage every day.

Frankie's rescue reminded Neblett why she loves her community, even as she hopes drivers will show the same caution for school buses that they showed for that fire truck.