New York City is known for always having some surprises up its sleeve, but it isn’t as recognized for its citizens that will go above and beyond to do the right thing. Recently, a little dog took off running down the street with no owner. A biker passing by noticed the tiny creature and set off-course to ensure that the little guy was okay.
Rick Bernstein was on a bike ride when he saw a tiny dog racing towards traffic.
The streets are typically pretty busy, and he knew that this dog would not make it safely across traffic on his own. Seeing the little pooch heading in a direction that was filled with cars, Rick took off after it.
He couldn’t get off his e-bike because that would have slowed him down. This dog was going as fast as he could, so Rick had to try to keep pace.
The biker swerved into traffic along with the dog, just as a bus was shuttling down the street.
In a video captured from Rick’s point of view, you can see as he rounds the corner onto the street, desperately chasing this dog. Just then, a New York City bus drives down, clearly not able to see the small dog running down the street along with it.
Rick then yells at the top of his lungs to make it clear that there is a dog and that all drivers should watch out. Thankfully, the bus doesn’t hit the dog, but the dog still evades Rick and it keeps running down the street.
Rick started yelling as loud as he could in hopes that other people could also help out.
It was becoming very clear that this dog could run fast, and Rick might need backup in order to capture it safely. So, biking as fast as he could down the city streets, Rick also started yelling and directing pedestrians or other passers-by to grab the dog. Rick estimates that people two blocks over could hear him, and eventually other people also started chasing after the dog.
Despite the efforts of so many people to stop the pooch, things took a turn for the scarier.
This dog had stamina and agility to match. Even though Rick’s wife got quite close to him, he kept running and running. The chase led Rick, his wife, and the dog to the highway that wraps around Manhattan– one of the busiest and most dangerous places for a dog to be running loose.
Scared, but even more scared for this dog, Rick and his wife followed the dog up the ramp and onto the highway, desperate to save him from a surely terrible fate.
Rick and his wife chased the dog down a lane on the highway.
At one point, Rick thought he was close enough to get off his bike and grab the dog, but the dog ran faster. Cars were swerving around them on the highway, but no one was able to stop and help.
After a while, the dog got caught in between Rick and his wife. The dog was stuck in a hole and couldn’t move. Rick was able to again descend his bike and successfully capture the loose cannon dog.
The rescuers managed to return the dog to its owners.
This was an eventful day, but it doesn’t feel like too big of an act of heroism for Rick. He says he believes in doing what he has to in order to help other people. He tells The Dodo:
“I always help people. Whether it’s an animal or a person, I’m gonna help you.”
A lot of people are in awe over this man’s willingness to go the distance for a dog he doesn’t even know.
The video of his high-speed chase has gotten millions of views on YouTube, and there are numerous comments talking about his bravery.
One person writes:
“I like how these random people don’t even know each other or the dog but they’re still tryna help”
Someone else comments:
“You have a very kind heart risking your own life to save someone else’s dog. The world needs more people like you.”
Watch the video below to see the heart-pumping chase for yourself!
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