PINELLAS PARK, Fla. -- Neighbors called police after finding a dog wandering around in a dirty canal.
Neighbors said the dog appeared lost and was injured.
"He was just limping with both legs and bleeding on his side. Skinny," said Ashley LaBrant, a neighbor.
Samantha Marcotte jumped over a fence and stayed with the dog to keep him calm.
"Animals are like people. You could see that he was scared. He just wanted out. I just wanted him out," said Marcotte.
The two neighbors noticed the dog around 8 a.m. on Thursday. Ashley LaBrant said animal services was closed since it was so early.
She called the non-emergency number for the Pinellas Park Police Department. She said within 10 minutes, an officer arrived to help.
"It's so sad, especially being a dog owner myself. I would be heartbroken if my dog got out. I wouldn't be able to sleep," said Marcotte.
Officer Fox did not hesitate. He jumped into the water after scaling a fence.
"I'm super grateful to that police officer that came out and did everything to get that little guy out of here," said Marcotte.
The neighbors said the dog did not have a collar. He was also hungry.
"I asked him to sit and he sat down right away. He was rolling over letting us pet his belly... saying thank you after we got him out," said LaBrant.
The dog is at the Pinellas County Animal Services. The police department is reminding all pet owners to microchip their dogs.
Pinellas Park Police writing on its Facebook page, "We will always look our for our furry friends, but please help us do so by giving them the best chance to get home."
