An injured pit bull fighting to stay afloat in the frigid bay waters of Atlantic City, New Jersey, is alive today thanks to a brave police officer who swam out to save him, according to local news.
After receiving a call about a dog who had reportedly been abandoned in a vacant lot, Atlantic City Police Officer Matt Schmidt responded to the scene, where another officer told him the canine had a limp and significant redness on his belly.
Animal control then arrived and managed to secure a bite pole around the dog’s neck, but the officer lost her grip, and the animal slipped through a hole in the fence with the pole still attached.
Following a pursuit, authorities cornered the dog at another lot near the bay — only for him to leap into the water and swim steadily away from shore. That’s when Officer Schmidt leaped into action.
“I was like, ‘OK, it’s struggling, the current’s strong, it’s getting weighted down, and it’s just going to tire out,'” he explained to CBS News Philadelphia. “I just felt like, clearly, a boat is not going to get here in time. So this is not a choice. I have to go if I want this dog to live.”
So the officer removed his uniform, placed another bite pole around his own neck, and swam roughly 100 yards out to the distressed canine. Once he reached the dog, he affixed the new pole to the animal and — battling against the current with one free arm — pulled him slowly back to shore.
The dog was later treated for his injuries and was reportedly in good health. He has since been reunited with his guardian. How he first wound up in the vacant lot, however, remains unknown.
“I really was just trying save the dog. I wasn’t thinking, ‘This is going to make me a hero,’” Schmidt said. “I love dogs, I love animals — I was just not going to let this happen.”
Lady Freethinker is grateful to Officer Schmidt and everyone involved in this rescue for their swift, compassionate actions that saved this dog’s life.
