Hero dog saves owner, 81, from drowning after wheelchair rolled into lake

A hero dog saved his 81-year-old owner from drowning after his wheelchair slid into a lake.

Harry Smith was out with his beagle mix, Sarah, when his wheelchair began to slide down an embankment into the water.

He was then flipped in the chair and dumped into the water, causing Sarah, nine, to start barking loudly and splashing to attract attention.

Her actions alerted Edward Suhling and Aby 'Jacob' Chacko to something being wrong.

Edward said: "The dog was splashing in the water, so we both ran over here and I jumped in the water, and my buddy grabbed his arms and I grabbed his legs and we got him up on shore."

Harry Smith, from Port St. Lucie, Florida, was walking his nine-year-old beagle mix, Sarah (WPTV News)

Chacko was also able to flag down Officer Adam Doty for help while they were running toward the scene.

Edward said only Mr Smith's head was above the water when the three men came to his rescue thanks to his dog.

He claimed Sarah was the the "real hero that day" explaining he hadn't heard Smith yelling, only her barks..

Mr Smith was deemed well enough to return home after being treated at the scene (Port St. Lucie Police Department)

Mr Smith was deemed well enough to return home after being treated at the scene.

Praising his heroic pet, he said: "She's such a good dog. Everybody in this neighbourhood loves her.

"They all look out for her. I love her, always have, always will."