Manatee Comforts Pooch Stranded in River

A dog that fell into the rain-swollen Hillsborough River Friday night had to wait until morning for a rescue, but that doesn’t mean he was left all alone the whole time.

A manatee kept the critter company, according to the Tampa Police Department.

“Officer Jodie Maxim captured this amazing photo of the kindness between animals,” TPD officials wrote on their Facebook page. “This manatee kept our scared, wet pup company until TPD Marine Patrol could complete the rescue. You don’t see that every day, and it’s a great reminder of kindness.”

While it’s unclear exactly when the manatee showed up to provide the stuck pooch some company, it waited in the water below the dog until the rescue operation was set up.

Tampa police officers were flagged down Saturday morning by residents in the Seminole Heights neighborhood who told them they’d heard noises throughout the night. When they went to investigate in the morning light, they saw the pooch stranded and unable to climb above the seawall.

Master Patrol Officer Randy Lopez donned a pair of waders and dove in to assist.

With a little help from residents, Lopez was able to hoist the soggy critter from the river.

All the commotion in the neighborhood caught the attention of the dog’s owners, a police department spokeswoman said. The dog, named White Boy, was reunited with his family a little wet behind the ears, but none too worse for the wear.

Photo Credit: Tampa Police Officer Jodie Maxim

See Also:

• Police Officer Rescues Dog Trapped in River