Heroic dog saves elderly owner's life when he falls out of wheelchair into lake

The dog saved his owner from drowning (Image: Port St. Lucie Police Department)

The beagle cross has been praised by Port St Lucie Police Department for saving his 81-year-old owner's life when their daily trip to the park turned into a rescue operation

When adopting a dog, most owners enter into a one-sided relationship when it comes to care.

Dogs are unable to provide for their owners in the same way people can pop to the shops to stock up on dog food and toys or organise an enjoyable day out for their pet.

However, once in a while dogs are able to show their owners just how much they mean to them, with some even being credited for saving lives.

A heroic dog has been praised by police for saving his 81-year-old owner from drowning when he fell into a lake during their daily walk.

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Mr Smith was struggling to stay afloat when his dog barked for help (Image: Port St. Lucie Police Department)

The owner, known only as Mr Smith, was exercising his pet at a park in Port St Lucie, Florida, when the incident unfolded.

A spokesperson from Port St Lucie Police Department said: "His electric wheelchair lost traction, causing him to slide down the bank and flip off his wheelchair into lake.

"Mr Smith began to yell for help as he could not swim and struggled to stay afloat."

Sensing his owner was in trouble, the beagle cross began to bark loudly which altered two people walking across the street to the situation.

Officer Doty was flagged down near the scene (Image: Port St. Lucie Police Department)

"The bystanders rushed over to the lake and flagged down officer Doty who was driving on Airoso Blvd," added the spokesperson.

"Officer Doty exited his patrol vehicle and observed Mr Smith was submerged up to his neck in the water.

"The two bystanders and officer Doty worked together to pull him out of the water and up the bank."

After receiving medical care at the scene and getting the OK to return home, officer Doty and St Lucie County Fire District assisted by pushing him back to his house.

The spokesperson said: "We are thankful for Mr Smith’s dog and the two bystanders who helped save his life. As the saying remains true - a man’s best friend is his dog."