Massachusetts

Swimming Dog in Distress Saved by Paddleboarding Scituate Officers

Charlie was rescued from a shelter three years ago and loves swimming, police said

A dog struggling to stay afloat in a Massachusetts river was saved when an animal control officer and a police officer hopped onto a paddleboard and hauled him to safety last week, police said.

Charlie was unable to get back to shore while swimming in the Herring River, according to a Scituate Police Department Facebook post on Monday.

The local marine unit and harbormaster were several minutes away from Driftway Park, where the owner was, but Animal Control Officer Craig Keefe and a pair of police officers were nearby, police said.

"With no time to waste, Officer Keefe and Detective [Michael] Prouty borrowed a paddle board and made their way out into the channel," police wrote. "After several attempts they were able to pull Charlie out of the water and bring him back to shore to a very grateful owner."

Charlie was rescued from a shelter three years ago and loves swimming, police said.

In fact Charlie was bred to go swimming. German short-haired pointers are "always up for physical activities like running, swimming, organized dog sports," according to the American Kennel Club.

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