A Colorado deputy is being hailed as a hero for his prompt efforts in saving a dog’s life. The dog named Hank was trapped in a smoke-filled, burning SUV. He might have died if there had been even the slightest delay.
Bodycam footage shows Deputy Michael Gregorek leaping from his car and hurrying over to the burning SUV in Douglas County. He smashed the car’s window with his baton, but the dog was initially nowhere to be seen. The dog’s face was only visible when the owner, Lucian Dupre, called on him after breaking the rear window. However, the smoke was making Hank drool.
Dupre tried to pull him out of the car but was unable to free Hank, as he was stuck. At that point, Deputy Gregorek stretched out and unfastened him before dragging him out of the blazing vehicle, allowing him a moment of respite from the smoke and fire.
In the officer’s bodycam video, Hank can be heard coughing as he inhaled the smoke.
Dupre described the incident as one of the “most terrifying experiences I’ve had to date.” He believed he would be unable to save his dog and was pleased with the deputy’s prompt response.
When the deputy went to see how Hank was doing, he thanked him by licking his face and hands.
“It leapt out of my arms and was up and moving immediately after I got him out of the car, which was very reassuring,” Deputy Gregorek said.
While the video shows the aftermath and the dog’s rescue, it does not specify the cause of the fire.
The brave police officer’s quick action moved netizens. The bodycam video has been viewed by more than 5.5 million people on YouTube.
A netizen praised the officer: “Going back home knowing that you saved an innocent animal’s life has got to be the best feeling. That officer is a hero!”
Another one added, “Anyone who saves a helpless animal in distress is and should be considered a hero… a family pet is part of the family too.”
The third one wrote, “He waited all his life for that one swing glass breaks. They were executed perfectly. Congrats on that, cop man. True hero.” One more noted, “The police were coughing, and he wasn’t in the car. Imagine what the dog was going through inside the car for minutes.”
“It’s amazing that the dog survived all that smoke he was breathing,” commented another viewer.
Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public video record.
