The West Rand K9 Search and Rescue Unit honoured their calling to save lives when they responded to a call about a young man stuck in Monument Dam after attempting to save a pit bull. The call came through at about 16:20 on Thursday afternoon, May 26.

Sergeant Reinier Henning from the West Rand K9 Search and Rescue unit said he and his crew saw that the young man was bleeding, and Sergeant Bertus Venter subsequently swam out to him to assess his condition.

The pit bull had fallen into the water where the dam has a steep slope and couldn’t get out. The young man saw that the dog was in trouble and when he went into the water to help the dog he himself got into trouble. The young man reached the island but couldn’t swim back, and he needed to be rescued.

We inflated the boat, put life jackets into it and went out to the tree where we assessed the young man. He suffered from hypothermia and had a few lacerations to his face and arms. We gave him a towel to keep him warm, my crew put a life jacket on him and we brought him out. He was also assessed by paramedics.”

Sergeant Henning said they were grateful that there were no fatalities, as the pit bull is also safe and has been reunited with its owner.