Man drowns trying to save dog

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

The man was walking with family members on the banks of the River Ericht at Blairgowrie, Perthshire, when the accident happened.

He jumped into the water to retrieve the dog, but appeared to get into difficulties.

Family members called the police, but the 37-year-old, who had not been named last night, was dead when he was pulled from the water.

Officers from Tayside Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place at about 1:45pm. It happened close to an area known as Cargill's Leap, which is popular with walkers.

<snip>

One source said: "It would appear that this was just a tragic accident. The man seems to have gone into the river looking for his dog, which had gone into the water.

"But while the dog survived, tragically the owner didn't. It's very sad."

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=828202006


Another reason not to be too nutty about your pets.





(But I would have done the same thing)

[Caoimhe]

1. Oh brother

"nutty"?

He made a choice, he paid for it. His dog was that important to him. I find these judgements of him and other pet lovers beyond the pale.

I knew a guy who was jogging with his dogs along an irrigation canal, and (there are no witnesses) it is assumed that his dogs were swimming in the canal and got caught in the undertow of a giant siphon, that allows said irrigation canal to cross a canyon. He was in his early 20's, an experienced swimmer and a well loved teacher. He ended up dying for his choice. I never once thought he was "nutty" for it.

I would risk my life for my family and that includes my pets.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. Did you read the whole OP?

I said I would have done the same.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Just call me 'nutty'. I went out on ice to rescue two 3-month old puppies

in 1986. Fell through the ice of the lake and I couldn't swim! I still managed to get one of the pups and myself out of the lake and back to the house. I have always regretted that I failed to find the other.

[Rowdyboy]

3. You saved a life....Thats enough. You have a kind heart and there are

FAR too few of those.

[mourningdove92]

6. Oh wow. I did that too.

Walked out onto the ice to retrieve my beloved Freddy. And I also fell in.
We both made it out ok.

Freddy was a dog. Mixed terrier and my soul mate.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. My dog slipped off the top of a steep hill and fell a long way down

He could be heard howling. My husband went down to retrieve the dog (despite my screams for him not to), and nearly died doing it. Fortunately, he survived. So did the dog.

[MazeRat7]

7. Yep, I would have done the same thing. (n/t)

[Truthiness Inspector]

8. Me too

If my dogs or my cat were in peril, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to save them.

They would do the same for me, and most of us who have animals know that this is true, they would die trying to save us. I'm sorry this man died, but he died saving his truest friend.

[idgiehkt]

9. this reminds me of something.

the one time I have ever had to call the police on a significant other...they were tanked up at my house, probably on more than just alcohol, completely outer limits. And my dog, who was around ten, and arthritic, comes into the room, and manages to climb up on the bed with me, where I was sitting, and lays her body right next to mine, just trembling like anything. It was the most touching thing I've ever seen. She knew that I was in danger, and she put herself right beside me as if to say, "I'll protect you as best I can". Her whole body was just shaking...I'll never forget that.

[Truthiness Inspector]

10. That is bittersweet

Most stories about animals saving people and people saving animals are. There is a bond non-animal people will never understand and those of us who do can sound like nuts.

When I was little, a man lunged at me and slapped me. What he was actually doing was slapping a mosquito off my arm (normal behavior where I grew up). My dog, about 80 pounds, a Pitbull mix, went right for the jugular. I screamed out that it was ok, and my dog stopped just short of ripping his throat out, lol. I made sure my dog and this man made peace, that they knew it was a misunderstanding. They got along for years after that. But I could see in my dog's eyes, "You'd better never try that shit again!" And if anyone had attacked him, I would have defended him too.

[BlooInBloo]

11. Placing the lives of animals over the lives of people is inhuman...

... literally.

[madmusic]

12. Who the hell said that?

No one. I would have done the same thing, dog or child.

[Truthiness Inspector]

13. That is ridiculous

This man made a free choice. He didn't place any life over anything, he chose to save his dog. I hope you don't have dogs, and if you do, I hope they wouldn't waste their time fighting for YOUR life.

[BlooInBloo]

14. LOL! God I love the animals = people crowd!

You all floor me!

[Truthiness Inspector]

16. You are just looking for a fight

This story is not about a human life versus a canine one. It is about a man who tried to save his dog...but you felt the need to make sure we all know YOU matter more than a dog. I will not comment further on that thought.

[BlooInBloo]

17. To me at least, so do YOU matter more to me than a dog....

[beam me up scottie]

18. Welcome to DU, Truthiness Inspector.

I like you already.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

15. It was a good death.

I'd rather die rescuing an animal than rescuing most humans I know (with one or two exceptions).

[BeHereNow]

19. I agree with you 100%

My best friends all have fur.
3 dogs
3 cats and
numerous horses.
By far, my animal friends out number my skin
covered ones, and I would have done the same
as this man for any of them.
Can't say the same for most people I know.
other than my blood kin.
BHN

[LWolf]

20. Yes.

I know very few people who extend the same trust and partnership that my furred friends do.