Pug is first pet to receive ‘Hometown Hero Award’ after saving family from fire

Jaxson the Pug proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes — as well as species.

The dog was reportedly honored Tuesday by the city of Meridian, Idaho with its Hometown Hero Award. Jaxson is the first pet ever to receive the award.

The award “honors outstanding bravery; a person (or animal) who demonstrates the “heroic” values of courage, compassion, character, initiative and responsibility,” according to the city, which Jaxson showed on the night of Aug. 29 when he saved his owners from a fire.

Jaxson, 11, began to bark in a “irregular tone and cadence,” at about 10:15 p.m., alerting his owners —Mikaela Sebree and Todd Lavoie —to the blaze.

Todd “noticed sparks from an outlet and its sole power strip. Todd quickly lunged toward the outlet to prevent the fire from starting but it was too late. He used a fire extinguisher to knock down the fire and shut off power to the home,” according to a release from the city.

Firefighters determined that if it weren’t for Jaxson, lives could have been lost and the house could have been greatly damaged.