A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy is being called a hero after he jumped into a swampy lake to rescue a stranded dog.
A woman called 911 saying her boxer was trapped and crying on the far side of a small lake.
It happened Wednesday afternoon in the Hidden Oaks subdivision off of Van Dyke Rd. near the Veterans Expressway in Lutz.
HCSO Deputy Matt Patellis didn’t hesitate to jump into the swampy water and swim over to rescue the dog.
Gators and snakes may have been lurking under the murky water, but Deputy Patellis and “Cody” the boxer made it out safely.
“They both need showers but everyone is back home safe thanks to the deputy going above and beyond the call of duty by going into the small lake,” said the HCSO on Twitter.
Patellis was reunited with “Cody” the boxer again on Thursday.
“He was a good dog. He was happy and afterwards he thanked me and gave me kisses and loving on me, so this is one of those calls that makes you smile at the end of the day,” Patellis said.
