Man dives in to save his small dog from shark attack in Florida

Published: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 | 11:40 AM ET

Canadian Press: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ISLAMORADA, Fla. - Is a dog really man's best friend?

Well, a Florida man has certainly proven the opposite is true. Authorities say Greg LeNoir, a carpenter in the Florida Keys, dove into the water last week to save his dog Jake from the jaws of a shark.

LeNoir says he takes his six-kilogram rat terrier for at a swim every day at a local marina. But on Friday a 1 1/2-metre shark suddenly surfaced and grabbed nearly the entire dog in its mouth.

LeNoir said he yelled, then balled up his fists and dove headfirst into the water, hitting the shark on the back until it finally let go of the dog.

Jake suffered bite wounds but was not critically injured and both man and dog made it safely back to shore.