An ordinary walk by the Ancoats Canal suddenly turned frightening when a dog slipped into the water and couldn't climb back out.
What followed was a tense but uplifting group rescue shared by USA Today (@USATODAY), with bystanders supporting one another as they lowered a man over the ledge to pull the dog to safety.
Here's what to know
Dog owner Batu Akyol was out walking his dog, Sumak, when the dog wound up in the muddy canal.
Because the canal's sides were too steep for the dog to get out, Akyol used the leash to keep him above water.
Students Jack Spencer Furmston and Ben Camphor were on their way home from a nearby coffee shop when they spotted the situation. They rushed over to help, and more passersby soon joined the effort to reach Sumak.
"Strangers worked together to save a dog that had fallen into a canal by dangling over a wall and pulling him up," the video description read.
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Their quick response appears to have spared the dog a much worse outcome.
More background
Deep water can be dangerous for pets. Slippery walls and limited ways out can turn even a short fall into a life-threatening situation, especially if an animal gets scared or tired.
One person alone may not have been able to rescue the dog safely, but a group could. One person steadied another, creating the kind of support system that can tackle a major emergency.
What can be done?
For pet owners, prevention is the first line of defense. Keeping dogs close on a leash near canals, rivers, and steep embankments can help reduce the risk of a fall, and knowing where ramps or lower access points are could prove critical in an emergency.
If a pet does end up in dangerous water, calling for help immediately can be crucial. As this rescue showed, nearby people may be able to assist — but water rescues are also dangerous for humans, so acting carefully and avoiding a solo attempt can help keep the situation from getting worse.
Safer waterfronts can include better railings, clearer warning signs, and easier escape points for both animals and people.
One commenter wrote, "His tail. He was so happy."
Another added, "Just when you give up on humanity this gives you faith again."
Where can I learn more?
Sumak's rescue is the kind of story that shows how fast strangers can rally when an animal is in trouble. That same spirit is in these articles, from dogs trapped by plastic waste to volunteers in Turkey scrambling to help wildlife after wildfires:
• In an urban area, volunteers jump to the rescue after finding a dog trapped.
• In Malaysia, locals rescued a trapped stray dog after weeks with plastic on its head.
• In Turkey, volunteers rush to aid wildlife after wildfires tear through forests.
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