In Lakewood Ranch, Florida, a homeowner and his wife had been watching television in their living room last Saturday when they heard a crash in the lake next to their home.
Doug Hay said it had been a “huge crash” and when the couple went outside to the lake they unexpectedly encountered an injured bald eagle. The lake is known to be shared with a seven-foot alligator, and Hay felt like he had to do something quickly.
The 70-year-old man jumped into the water and swam out about 100 yards. At first he didn’t see the eagle because she had gone underwater, most likely she had been unable to swim because of her injury. She finally appeared on the water’s surface, and at that moment Doug grabbed the bird who held onto his right arm with her talons as the hero doggy paddled it back to the safety of the land.
According to Fox 13 Tampa Bay, Doug had noted another eagle flying overhead and suspected the two had been fighting.
The eagle was later transferred to the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida in Venice. The eagle’s condition is now stable. The wound was an open gash near its thoracic cavity, and for the next few weeks the eagle’s condition will be managed for pain and possible infection.
Saving the eagle could have been disastrous for Doug Hay, but the animal lover said he took the chance because he loves animals.
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