NEWARK, OH (WCMH/AP) — The lives of two dogs were saved Wednesday, when firefighters pulled them from a burning home and resuscitated them.

According to the Newark Fire Department, firefighters responded to a home on Curtis Avenue this morning. When they arrived on the scene, they found the residents trying to fight the fire themselves with a garden hose and an extension ladder.

The two dogs were trapped inside the house in their kennels on the second floor, according to firefighters.

After firefighters contained the fire, they pulled the unconscious dogs out of the home and began to give them oxygen and resuscitating them.

Until a new law was passed this spring, it was against the law in Ohio – along with many other states – for firefighters or paramedics to provide basic first aid to dogs and cats rescued from house fires, car accidents or other crisis situations. Only licensed veterinarians could do that.

The legislation passed recently makes Ohio one of the first states to protect first responders who administer lifesaving aid to pets, companion animals or police dogs in crisis. Animal advocates say they hope the statute, which they liken to laws protecting good Samaritans who come to the aid of injured humans, removes hesitation for first responders who might have concerns about tending to injured pets.

The law will allow first responders to, without fear of liability, provide oxygen, perform mouth-to-snout resuscitation, try to stem bleeding, bandage and even administer the overdose antidote naloxone to dogs or cats that have ingested opiates. Liability has been a concern because owners of pets have sued first responders who treated animals that ended up dying.What others are clicking on: