The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Organization Presents Awards

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) recently announced the 2006 Humane Awards Program winners.

This summer the organization invited the public to nominate extraordinary pets and people for the contest.

Dog of the Year was Lucy, 5, a street-smart German shepherd who saved her family's life one night when a sump pump caught fire in the basement. Her owners are Jennifer and Keith Gorsuch of Littleton, IL. At this house pets are a family affair.

Cat of the Year was Laser, a rescued blue-point Siamese and certified Delta Society pet partner, visits children, seniors, and teens in psychiatric hospitals. Laser has come a long way from his days at the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis. His trademark is hugging people, wrapping his paws around the necks of patients he visits. He received the "Beyond Limits" award; an annual national honor bestowed on just five animals whose work improves the health and well-being of people,

Horse of the Year, Harley, is an eight-year-old brown and red Tennessee walker/quarter horse from Woodville, TX who saved a mare's life at the risk of his own. His owners are Pam and Mike Riley. Harley got Pam's attention by stomping his feet, rearing his head, and leading her to a neighbor's pasture on the outskirts of their 28-acre property where a horse named Girl Friday lay camouflaged by brush and entangled in broken branches and wire.

"I wouldn't have found the horse; no one would have found this horse if it wasn't for Harley," Pam said. "Harley baby sits her. People don't give horses credit."

After Pam called her niece for help, Harley walked over strewn trees for about 100 feet to get their rescuers' attention so that Pam, who had broken her ankle in the course of the event, would not have to move and leave the injured Girl Friday alone. These days Harley spends his days running, playing, and snacking on his favorite food, apples.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Adele Douglass, founder and executive director of Humane Farm Animal Care and its "Certified Human Raised and Handled" label.

The Firefighter of the Year was Staten Island Firefighter Richard LaPiedra who bravely entered a burning two-story brick home to rescue Ali, a six-year-old black Lab.

The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award went to Sergeant Steven C. Brownstein of the Chicago Police Department which pioneered the fight against dog fighting. He and his team recovered more than 5,000 animals and mad more than 700 arrests for animal cruelty.

The Henry Bergh Award was given to Ruth Steinberger, who in 1999 gave up her career in Virginia and began the arduous task of saving the lives of at-risk pets.

The Awareness Award was earned by John Brogan, author of a best-selling book, Marley and Me.