A West Side man’s dog sat on his chest following a heroin overdose Tuesday. The dog growled at Madison Fire Department paramedics when they arrived and even bit one before they could help the man.
MFD officials responded to a report of an unconscious man in the basement of a University Hills Farms-area neighborhood around 2 p.m., Tuesday. Upon arrival, a bystander informed emergency responders the man had just returned from an addiction recovery meeting. Evidence suggested the man had overdosed on heroin, according to
The paramedics were able to “shoo” the dog out of the room before focusing on the man.
“The man was not breathing, and paramedics determined he also had no pulse. They lowered him to the ground and immediately began chest compressions,” MFD Public Information Officer Cynthia Schuster wrote in the report. “The man was intubated and given oxygen as chest compressions continued. Narcan and epinephrine were also administered, but his condition did not immediately improve.”
After eight minutes of continuous compressions, the paramedics were able to note the return of his pulse. The man was then lifted and taken through his house to the hospital. By the time he arrived at the hospital, he had a “strong and regular”
Emergency room doctors treated the man, while other hospital staff treated the paramedic who had been bitten and stitched up a cut on her hand.
