Martha Stewart’s Dog Ghenghis Khan Dies In Freak Explosion (Photos)

Posted on March 9, 2009

Martha Stewart’s chow puppy named Ghenghis Khan was one of 17 dogs killed in an accidental propane explosion at an eastern Pennsylvania kennel. Read more on the tragic death of Martha Stewart’s dog below.

Stewart wrote on her blog that she was “deeply saddened” by the death of her puppy, Ghengis Khan, in Friday’s blast at Pazzazz Pet Boarding, a kennel in the Pocono Mountains that breeds and trains show dogs.

Fifteen dogs were killed in the accidental explosion, and two more pets died over the weekend.

The kennel was receiving their propane delivery when the tank ignited and set the pens on fire and injuring the driver, Timothy Kleinhagen.

Though badly burned, Kleinhagen managed to toss a cairn terrier over the kennel fence to safety. He was listed in critical condition Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

“That man is a hero,” said the kennel’s co-owner, Karen Tracy. “My heart goes out to his family.”

Genghis Khan was a grandson of Stewart’s previous chow, Paw Paw, which died last April at age 12.

Stewart announced on her blog in December that she was adopting Genghis Khan, then 7 weeks old, calling him “very cute and square.” She said she expected him to be “conquering his new territory in my home soon, with great charm and prowess. I’m also confident that Sharkey and Francesca (Stewart’s French bulldogs) will be enamored with him.”

Stewart also sent condolences to Tracy. Many of the dead dogs belonged to Tracy and her mother.

“My heart goes out to Karen Tracy and I am hoping for a speedy recovery for those (both pets and humans) injured in this terrible event,” Stewart wrote.

Officials believe a spark or possibly static electricity may have started the blaze.

AmeriGas Propane Inc., which owned the truck that Kleinhagen was driving, has declined to comment.

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