Dramatic rescue of six dogs abandoned in cage during Hurricane Florence
Incredible footage shows the moment rescuers freed six dogs locked up in an outdoor cage in North Carolina during Hurricane Florence, as the water level began rapidly rising.
North Carolina observed four-metre floodwaters on Sunday, with reports it was steadily rising.
A video shared to social media shows some of the six abandoned dogs standing on their hind legs to remain above water, while rescuers arrived at a property in Leland, North Carolina.
The pets can be heard howling and whimpering in the footage, as volunteer rescuer Ryan Nichols of Longview, Texas, waded through knee-high waters to reach the cage.
Seconds after Mr Nichols unlocked the chain-link fence, the dogs swam out to freedom and happily paddled toward a nearby house, followed by the rescue volunteers.
“Rescued six dogs in Leland, NC, after the owner LEFT THEM locked in an outdoor cage that filled with flood water that was rapidly rising,” freelance Journalist Marcus DiPaola tweeted on Sunday.
“‘We got them out, but by the time we left, the water was so high that they would have drowned. BRING YOUR PETS WITH YOU! #HurricaneFlorence,” he added.
It is not known why the dog owner left the animals behind, however some people have responded to MrDiPaola’s tweet claiming an owner had attempted to return for the pets.
