Dog hailed as hero for saving man's life in California

PITTSBURG, California -- A golden retriever is being hailed as a hero for helping save a man in distress in Pittsburg, California.

Moe's owner, John Newman, said it's not unusual for his dog to bark when he sees something in the backyard. It's typically a raccoon or a cat that sets him off, but Wednesday morning, the bark was different -- less loud, less aggressive.

"I believe because it's a human being as opposed to a threat," Newman said. "He's a people dog. He loves people."

Newman went outside and found an elderly man in distress. He had fallen into the water and couldn't climb out of the rocks. Newman pulled him out, but credits Moe for saving the man's life.

"I have no doubt about it," he said. "If you were to go in that water right now, you wouldn't last very long at all."

Paramedics took the man to the hospital, and he is expected to be OK.

Pittsburg police are calling Moe a "hometown hero." Officers came by earlier in the day to thank him and give him treats. The department posted about him not once, but twice on its Facebook page.

"It makes me feel very good because I'm his dad," Newman said. "And you know, we always have that special feeling for your child."