U.S. Park Police are being credited with saving a dog left alone in the heat Sunday.
The dog, named Scout, was spotted roaming around Ohio Drive in the nearly 100-degree heat. When officers attempted to approach the animal, Scout jumped into the Potomac River.
The dog was in such distress, it reportedly couldnāt tread water. So a detective, known to be a dog lover, dropped her gun and jumped into the river to rescue the dog.
āThe dog was going underā¦she grabbed him just in time,ā said U.S. Park Police Officer Nancy Leggieri.
Scout was taken to a veterinary hospital.
Scout's owner was given a citation for not having his dog on a leash and paid a $25 fine. The owner told police he had been playing tennis nearby and had left the dog outside for about 30 minutes.