Mini Goldendoodle’s nonstop barking had neighbors fearing an intruder — but what he was warning them about sent chills down their spine
A quiet Long Beach neighborhood woke to the nonstop barking of a tiny dog one morning. Neighbors and the family were confused by the noise, unsure what the little Goldendoodle was trying to say. No one realized that his barking was a warning about something far more serious. What the neighbors first thought was an alert of an intruder later turned out to be a more dangerous situation on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
As reported by ABC7, the early Sunday morning turned into a scene of quick action when the family discovered the real reason behind their dog’s behavior. The two-year-old Mini Goldendoodle, named Chase, had sensed danger and refused to stop barking until everyone was awake. Thanks to his alertness, the family escaped safely. Homeowner Salvatore Brecciano was away at the time, while his 28-year-old son managed to escape by climbing out through an upstairs window to safety. Assistant Fire Chief Rick DiGiacomo said, “The residents were woken by the dog barking, and then looked out and saw the fire.”
Assistant Chief Hadrick Ray also rushed to help an elderly couple next door. “I asked, 'Are they out?' We saw that one guy has a walker. So we grabbed him out, and then the police department helped with the second victim, who was inside that house,” he said. The neighbors had initially believed the dog was barking because of an intruder. Authorities praised Chase for saving lives that morning. “The most important thing is to make sure you have smoke detectors working or a pet,” DiGiacomo added. Every year, thousands of people are saved by smoke detectors and pets, and this time, it was Chase, the 12-pound Goldendoodle, who became the hero of Long Beach.
Pet canines often step up when danger strikes, proving to be true lifesavers. In a similar incident, a dog named Freckles alerted her owner, Katrina, to a fire late one night in June 2025. The sudden barking woke Katrina from a deep sleep, saving her from being trapped inside. Neighbors quickly rushed to help, using a power hose to control the flames until firefighters arrived, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Katrina later recalled the chaos outside, with smoke filling the air and neighbors shouting as they tried to keep the flames contained. The quick reactions of everyone involved helped avoid injuries and minimize the damage to the property.
Katrina described the moment as terrifying and credited Freckles for saving her life. “If she hadn’t have come in and been barking at me I wouldn’t even have known about the fire,” she said. She added that her body shook with fear as she ran outside, not knowing if the house could be saved. The brave Border Collie was later spoiled with extra love for her heroic actions. Freckles’ intelligence and quick thinking, traits common in her breed, clearly made all the difference that night, showing how some dogs instinctively protect those they care about.