'It Was Like A Movie:' Woman Searching For Hero Who Saved Her Dog

LINDENHURST, NY — A Lindenhurst woman is looking to thank a local man who rescued her dog after a scary day in the park last week. Ericka Vitale often took her dog, Vinnie, to the nearby Firemen's Memorial Park without issue. However, last Thursday afternoon the 2-year-old lab/pit bull mix, who normally is deathly afraid of water, ended up running and jumping into the freezing cold duck pond.

Vitale was trying to help the poor pooch, who was swimming and paddling around the frigid pond, not knowing what to do. She tried to call Vinnie over to the ledge to help him back up, but he kept falling back in the water.

Then, after hearing Vitale's cries for help, a man sitting nearby in his truck rushed over, took off his coat, gloves and shoes, and jumped into the frigid waters to swim over and grab the dog.

"It was like a scene from a movie," Vitale told Patch.

Once he came out and handed Vinnie to his rightful owner. Vitale, shocked, thanked the stranger and managed to get his first name — Joe — before he went back to his truck.

"If it wasn't for him, he saved my dog, my dog would have froze to death," she said. "He's a hero."

Now, Vitale wants to find Joe to recognize his heroism. She said after sharing the story with other community members, this mystery hero has become something of a local legend. According to Vitale, she has gotten countless messages from neighbors and other Long Islanders asking her who Joe is, wanting to recognize him.

"I just want him to know that he is a true hero and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have my best friend here with me," she said. "And he has to know all of Long Island wants to know...'where is Joe?'"