Dog Helps Save Owner After His Wheelchair Slides Into Lake

A Florida man is grateful to his pet dog that immediately called for help after his wheelchair rolled into a lake.

Harry Smith, 81, was out on a walk with his dog, Sarah Jane, when the incident took place at the lake near his Port St. Lucie home, according to New York Post.

Smith lost traction after his electric wheelchair got stuck in the mulch. It slid down an embankment and threw the man into the lake, making him struggle to stay afloat and swim toward the grass.

"I tried to back around to get out of it and it went straight back instead and right down the embankment and dumped me right in the water," Smith told WPTV.

The pet soon understood that its owner was in distress and began barking for help. It got the attention of Edward Suhling and his friend Jacob, both of whom were working across the street at that time.

The two bystanders rushed over to the lake and witnessed Smith's ordeal.

"Only his head was above the water. The wheelchair was in the water," Suhling told the outlet.

The duo then flagged down Officer Doty from the Port St. Lucie Police Department, who happened to be driving in the area.

"Officer Doty exited his patrol vehicle and observed Mr. Smith was submerged up to his neck in the water. The 2 bystanders and Officer Doty worked together to pull him out," Port St. Lucie Police Department noted in a statement released on Facebook.

Smith received medical attention at the scene. Since his electric wheelchair was damaged, the officer and the witnesses helped push him back home with the pet by his side.

Smith said he is grateful to his pet for helping save his life. "I gave her a treat," he told WPTV, adding: "I love her, always have, always will."

The canine has been Smith's beloved pet for about seven years now, and they share a strong bond with each other. "She's such a good dog. Everybody in this neighborhood loves her, they all look out for her," he said.

Port St. Lucie Police Department also thanked the furry friend in its statement for proving that "a man's best friend is his dog."