Heroic CBS Reporters Risk Everything to Save 3 Dogs Trapped in LA Wildfires
A couple living in Los Angeles had no idea their dogs would be in danger when they left home for separate trips. Wildfires broke out in their neighborhood while they were away, but two CBS employees stepped in to save the dogs.
On January 7, 2025, the Palisades fires began in Los Angeles. The couple, Andrea and Sixuan Pasinetti, were out of town. They had left their three dogs with a dogsitter who got stuck and couldn’t reach their house.
Andrea was in San Francisco for work, and Sixuan was overseas. The fire spread quickly, destroying homes near theirs on Lachman Lane. The three dogs—Alma, Archie, and Hugo—were left alone.
Andrea quickly booked a flight back to Los Angeles, desperate to save his pets. He said, “The flight was very hard because we didn’t have any information.” A friend met him at the airport with blankets and fire-retardant supplies, and they rushed to the house.
When they got close, police had blocked most roads. Andrea said, “It’s a feeling of helplessness and devastation, trying to stay hopeful but bracing for the worst.”
Andrea and Sixuan had two options: Andrea could try to reach the house himself, or someone else could help. Sixuan saw CBS reporter Jonathan Vigliotti on TV, reporting from a nearby school. They tried to contact him on Twitter and through his colleague.
Jonathan’s colleague, CBS producer Christian Duran, passed along the message. Jonathan and Christian decided to help. They went to the Pasinettis’ house, which Andrea described as “on its last legs.”
Andrea allowed them to break windows if needed to get inside. The dogs were rescue animals and very anxious, making the situation harder. Alma was near the entrance, but Hugo was hiding under a bed.
The CBS team managed to secure Alma, likely using a blanket to calm her. They then found Hugo and Archie, lifting the bed to get Hugo. Despite the flames, Jonathan and Christian saved all three dogs.
Andrea later found out his house burned down just hours after the rescue. He felt a mix of emotions: joy, relief, exhaustion, and gratitude. He said, “The risk they took to save the dogs shows the best of humanity.”
Reflecting on the experience, Andrea said, “We collect so many things in life, but in the end, they’re just things. What matters is life and loved ones.”
Andrea also thanked the firefighters and first responders who worked to save homes. One firefighter even offered to take him to the house despite the fire.
To show his gratitude, Andrea posted a photo with his dogs and thanked Jonathan and Christian for keeping his family whole. Jonathan also shared a video of the rescue, admitting they almost didn’t go, thinking the dogs would be fine.
The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the Palisades wildfires caused 177 fires, burned over 40,000 acres, destroyed 12,300 structures, and resulted in 24 fatalities.
