MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A Miami Beach firefighter rescued a dog Thursday after it was found struggling in Biscayne Bay by a passerby.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue officials said the passerby alerted authorities after finding the dog in the water off 8600 Byron Ave.
Cellphone video shows firefighter Emilio Sanchez holding the dog in the water and bringing it to shore.
"He was very exhausted, just by the way he was breathing, and he was already barely able to keep his head up out of the water. So I pretty much got there in good timing," Sanchez said. "He was very eager to see me and he was happy I was there."
Authorities said the dog had no collar and appeared to be a mixed breed.
The dog, which appeared to be OK, was handed over to police.
Authorities said they were able to locate the dog's owner, who picked up the dog named Junior at City Hall.
It's unclear how Junior got away from its owner and ended up in Biscayne Bay.
Engine 4 received an animal rescue call & Firefighter Emilio Sanchez Hoy jumped in the water to rescue the dog off in the bay! 👏🏽🐶 pic.twitter.com/eimc0JIwXm
— Miami Beach Fire (@MiamiBeachFire) July 27, 2017
Heartfelt reunion at City Hall as we reunited Junior with his owner! 🐶 pic.twitter.com/2wImEHEUIY
— Miami Beach Fire (@MiamiBeachFire) July 27, 2017