MIAMI – A Miami firefighter helped save a dog who was spotted on a piling Monday morning at the Rickenbacker Causeway near the William Powell Bridge.
Miami Department of Fire-Rescue spokesman Capt. Ignatius Carroll Jr. said Lt. Jose Almeida jumped into the bay and swam toward the dog, who appeared to be a pregnant pit bull mix.
"Just like any human rescue, we don our equipment and went in the water to get (her)," Almeida said.
Almeida freed the dog, who had gotten caught on a rope. The dog jumped back into the water, climbed onto another piling and began barking and growling at firefighters, Carroll said.
"(She) swam to the piling," Almeida. "I tried to grab (her), but like I said, (she) tried to bite me a couple of times and (she) jumped off. I jumped in after (her). I was trying to keep (her) swimming."
Almeida followed the dog as she swam to shore and ran off.
The dog weighed about 80 pounds.
Miami Department of Fire-Rescue notified Animal Services, who will attempt to locate the dog.
Authorities said there are barnacles on the pilings so the dog may have some injuries.