Saving a best friend: NYPD rescues dog found struggling to stay afloat in East River

The “ruff”-and-ready NYPD rescued a dog that was found desperately trying to stay afloat in the frigid East River waters on Sunday morning.

According to police sources, a pedestrian spotted the distressed pooch battling the waves just off the South Street Seaport around 8 a.m. on March 30. Officers from the NYPD Harbor Unit responded to the scene to discover the dog still fighting for survival.

The cops managed to pull the shivering female pup onboard and wrap her in a blanket. While police did not specify the exact breed, they said she weighed about 15 pounds and was dressed in a pink harness but did not have any form of ownership.

It also did not appear to have suffered any injuries besides being drenched in icy cold water.

The NYPD said she weighed about 15 pounds and was dressed in a pink harness but did not have any form of ownership. It also did not appear to have suffered any injuries aside from being drenched in icy cold water.NYPD

“They ensured she was safe, wrapped her in a warm blanket, and thanks to their quick actions, she can look forward to happier days,” the NYPD wrote on their X account.

The Harbor Unit handed over the death-defying dog to officers at the 1st Precinct, who rushed it to a local veterinarian for an evaluation; the canine did not appear to have a microchip.

Police say that as of Sunday afternoon, they have been unable to locate her owner or establish exactly how she ended up in the choppy waters.

Anyone with information regarding the pup can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.