The Humane Society of the United States, the leading US animal welfare organization, lionized a New York boy who died after going back into his blazing home to rescue his pets. The Circle of Compassion award was presented on Saturday to Thomas and Maria Monahan, whose nine-year-old son Tommy was overcome by smoke while trying to save his pet dog, lizard and fish last December. The organization did not say whether any of the animals survived the blaze. The award recognizes and honors individuals who have performed an act of significant courage or compassion to assist an animal in need.