by LISA L. COLANGELO
Both two-legged and four-legged heroes were honored during the ASPCA's annual Humane Awards. Richard LaPiedra, a New York City firefighter, was recognized for rescuing a 6-year-old black Labrador retriever from a burning house. And Lucy, a 5-year-old German shepherd from Illinois, was cheered for having saved the lives of her owners when she smelled smoke coming from the basement. The award winners, including Pam Riley of Texas, spoke about the important bond between animals and people. Riley's horse, Harley, was honored as ASPCA Horse of the Year. Harley helped Riley find an injured horse that was entangled in debris. "What goes around comes around," Riley told luncheon guests gathered in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center last week. LaPiedra, a 15-year veteran of the FDNY, said he was surprised by the award. "I was just doing my job," he said. One morning last spring, LaPiedra and his fellow firefighters at Ladder 78/Engine 155 responded to a fire at a Staten Island home. No one was home at the time. But while tackling the fire, LaPiedra spotted Ali, a 6-year-old black Labrador retriever, curled up by the couch. "She wouldn't go anywhere," LaPiedra recalled. He grabbed the 80-pound dog from behind and dragged it toward the door. "Once she got close to the door, she kicked it into gear," he said with a laugh. John Grogan, the author of "Marley and Me," was given the ASPCA Awareness Award, and Chicago police Sgt. Steven Brownstein was named ASPCA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
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