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Did any show dogs survive the RV fire in Florida?

Tragic news from Florida as a fire that broke out in a recreational vehicle (RV) claimed the lives of five show dogs. The deceased canines were all part of the American Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. People noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and tried to rescue the dogs but in vain. As the local community in Florida mourns the loss of the show dogs, let’s take a look at the RV fire incident.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue’s investigators are currently working on the case to determine the cause of the fire. The exact circumstances leading to the incident remain unknown, but authorities have ruled out foul play. They aim to discover the reason behind this tragic incident and prevent such acts from happening in the future. 

RV fire in Florida kills multiple show dogs

Things seemed to be calm around the dog show until an RV parked in a lot outside the fairgrounds erupted in flames. Amidst the chaos, witnesses reported seeing smoke pouring out of the vehicle’s vents. Some called for help, while others tried to break in and rescue the dogs. 

Florida RV fire show dogs
Screengrab courtesy of Florida Scanner via News-Press

Unfortunately, the fire was too intense, and the thick smoke prevented anyone from entering the RV. Despite efforts from bystanders and firefighters, the canines succumbed to the fire. Notably, all five of the show dogs that died in the RV fire in Florida were boxers.  

The dogs’ owners are professional dog handlers, Rick and Mandy Justice. They confirmed the heartbreaking news as the local community grieves over the beloved show dogs. 

Initial reports suggested that there were over a dozen dogs killed by the RV fire. But it seems like the victims were only the five dogs who were in the RV. The remaining dogs at the show have survived.

Local community mourns show dogs’ loss

There has been an outpouring of support from dog owners and enthusiasts from across the nation as they offer their condolences to the canines who lost their lives in the RV fire in Florida. 

Tributes have poured in for the deceased show dogs as more people have called to identify the reason behind the fire and hold someone accountable. 

The dog show community, in particular, has not recovered from the shock. Show dogs form a significant part of their livelihood, and losing them in such a tragedy is unfortunate.

GoFundMe campaign for dogs’ owners

In order to support the dog owners Rick and Mandy Justice, who lost their show dogs in the RV fire in Florida, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up. The fund has already amassed over $42,000.

Image courtesy of Rummer Run Boxers

The campaign’s description explains that the money is not only to help the handlers and any surviving dogs but also to serve as a down payment for another RV. The owners are well-respected in the professional dog handler community. 

The incident took place at the American Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show, which is a competition show in which dogs and handlers can compete. The show was being held at the Florida State Fair Grounds from June 14 to June 18 until tragedy struck. 


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