Guards aboard the United States Coast Guard ship CG24508, based on Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, was in the right place at the right time to save the life of a desperate dog this week.
A Labrador/Pointer mix called Myla crashed while enjoying a Saturday afternoon on Pamlico Sound with her family. The Great Lagoon is separated from the wide open Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks of NC, a popular tourist destination and hotspot for boaters.
“Overboard Man’s Best Friend!”
When Myla fell onto the train, her men tried to rescue her before calling authorities. According to a Facebook post from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Hatteras InletOne of their boats was on law enforcement missions nearby when there was a call about a lost dog.
The crew stopped what they were doing and began scanning the surface of the water for movement. Myla must have discovered the boat because she was rowing their way by the time the men caught her.
“Shortly after, CG24508 detected movement in calm water and upon closer inspection saw a dog swimming towards the boat,” the post read.
RELATED: Dog swims 5 miles to safety after jumping out of boat to chase ducks
Safe, but Soggy
The Coast Guard on board CG24508 headed towards Myla and quickly towed her aboard. She was happy to see her rescuers, but most of all, the poor puppy was exhausted. A comment on a US Coast Guard post about the incident revealed that she had been swimming for about half an hour and had traveled more than a mile by the time she was picked up. That’s a lot of doggy paddling!
Myla is soon reunited with her relieved and grateful family. The story has since gone viral and been shared on social media and several newspapers. While people hailed the Coast Guard as heroes, the incident sparked a heated debate about Safe dogs and boats.
Many people took to Facebook to criticize Myla’s owner for not letting her wear a dog life jacket. Life jackets can not only help Myla float, but also help rescuers detect her on the water more easily. However, since the family has not spoken out publicly, there is no way to know their story.
RELATED: Life jacket saves dog’s life as it crosses Lake Michigan
Water safety for dogs
The most important thing is that Myla is safe and back on dry land, but it’s important to learn from scary situations like these. Some dogs love their weekends by the water, but Some dog breeds are best left at home. For those hitting the beach, boat or pool, These tips from a licensed veterinarian on everything from sunbathing to sharks can help ensure they stay safe and healthy.
