The Hatching Cat of Gotham

Nip*, a veteran fire dog with Engine Company No. 203 at 533 Hicks Street, was 12 years old and a 6-year veteran with the fire company when he made his eighth heroic rescue on February 2, 1935.

Although most of Nip’s rescues had involved humans–including Firemen Schenck and Carlton from his own company–on this particular day he put his disdain for felines aside to do his duty. Using his self-imposed skills to search every building for victims, Nip was able to save two kittens in desperate need of a hero.

According to the Daily News, on Friday evening, Engine Company No. 203 responded to a report of a structure fire at a three-story brick building at 161 Union Street. The building had a stationery store on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. (This building was demolished when the Brooklyn Queens Expressway was constructed.)

Upon their arrival, neighbors told the firemen that the building was empty, and everyone had made it out safely. Nip ignored the humans. Trusting his nose, he made a dash for the burning basement.

Singed and nearly overcome by smoke, he emerged from the basement four minutes later with a kitten in his mouth. He laid the feline survivor at the feet of Battalion Commander John Pfann.

He then gave a short warning bark and ran back into the basement. Once again, he came back to the street carrying another kitten in his mouth. He reportedly refused medical attention until he had licked the kittens clean. Then he watched as a firefighter placed them inside a large, flannel-lined fireman’s hat.

Knowing the kittens were safe, Nip reported to the department surgeon for treatment. A few applications of burn salve, and Nip was ready to go into action again. When the firemen returned to the firehouse, they rewarded him with a large, marrow-filled meat bone.

Nip the Legendary Brooklyn Fire Dog

Taken in as a stray one winter night in 1929, Nip served 10 years with Engine Company No. 203. Right from the start, he demonstrated that he was a true fireman at heart, and not just a fire buff. Before answering his first call, he trained with the men and learned how to climb a 75-foot extension ladder. His very first duty was to toll the bell on the fire engine answering alarms.

During his tenure, Nip received numerous injuries from broken glass and falling debris, burns from scalding water, and bruises from falling off the fire engine. He also had some wonderful times, especially during the summer months when he got to live with one of the firemen in his home on Long Island.

Nip could recognize all the bells and signals, and he knew exactly which signal meant his company was responding to a call (he never made a mistake). On the fire scenes, Nip would superintend the firefighters and alert them if he knew something was wrong. If the hoses ever splashed his way, Nip would nestle under a fireman’s coat.

During his years of service with the engine company, Nip had demonstrated many acts of bravery and heroism. He rode with the company to every fire, and was always the first to leap off the fire engine and run into the burning buildings to scout for victims. Whenever he found a human (or cat) in need of help, the brave fire dog would bark until the firemen responded.

In 1936, a year after he rescued the kittens, Nip won four medals of honor for heroism from the following agencies:

• New York Women’s League for Animals
• Dog’s World International
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• New York Anti-Vivisection Society

Nip’s Final Call

Although Nip was a 16-year-old senior citizen in 1939, he probably had a few more good years left as an active fire dog when his life was abruptly ended on November 9, 1939. While playing out in front of the firehouse, Nip was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

People in the street called out for help, and a group of children followed the fire dog into the firehouse and told Lt. Matthew F. Rogers that it had been hit by a car that kept going. Instead of waiting for help to come, Nip dragged himself back inside and tried to jump up on the fire engine seat. Missing the seat, he landed on the running board, where he curled up and died.

In commemoration of Nip’s many acts of bravery and heroism, the members of Engine Company No. 203 hired a taxidermist to mount their treasured fire dog mascot. They kept him in a place of honor at the firehouse until the company disbanded in 1974.

For more information about Nip’s feline rescue in 1936, or to learn more about the history of Engine Company No. 203, check out 1936: The Cat-Saving Fire Dog Hero of Brooklyn’ s Engine Company No. 203.

*Nip is not his real name. Most news articles refer to the dog as “Nigger” or “Nig” and one article called him “Nipper.” He’s called “Chief” at the New York City Fire Museum.