On Wednesday morning, a Florida man drowned after jumping into the water to rescue his dog, which had jumped off of an airboat. The tragedy happened in the inland waters of the Gulf of Mexico, reports ABC Action News.
Minnie Davis called for help after her husband, 66-year-old Ted Davis, jumped overboard to help their dog. The swift current dragged him under and he did not resurface. The woman’s call prompted a large response – according to the news agency, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the United States Coast Guard and Hernando County Fire Rescue dispatched to the area to assist.
Nearly an hour later, Davis’ body was found near Bird Island. No specifics have been released about the dog, but the sheriff’s office reports that it survived.
Tragic situations like this happen all too often. Devoted dog owners risk their life to help save dogs who have fallen, or jumped, into bodies of water. More often than not, the dogs manage to make it back out alive. The authorities recommend that owners call for help if a dog is struggling in the water, rather than jumping in.
(Stock image of airboat via Pixabay)
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SO VERY SAD!!! He was a DEDICATED OWNER and Must have Loved his Companion and Friend and Gave his Life !!! Hope his wife honors his great Love and Keeps his Dog!!
Yeah, my dog is struggling in the water, my first thought would be to jump in and save him. That is what this man did and ended up paying for it with his life. I’m so sorry for his family but I can more than understand why he did it. Rest in peace Mr. Davis, my condolences to your family and friends.
What a terrible TRAGEDY–but I certainly understand it. I cannot imagine watching your dog drown while wishing and hoping help will “eventually”
arrive!
Hope and pray the dog is okay. This dear sweet dog is a living symbol of Mr. Davis’s deep capacity for love!
The bottom line–I don’t feel dogs or any other animals should be placed in
potentially dangerous situations. As the result, many of these horrible tragedies could be prevented.