Earlier this week, while out for a walk with his dog near their home in Bogota, Colombia, Nicolas Gallardo witnessed humanity at its finest.
Passing near a canal that cuts through the El Tintal neighborhood, Gallardo began to hear a commotion in the distance. A group of people was gathering, their eyes all fixed on something in the water.
“Instinctively, I walked over,” Gallardo told The Dodo. “When I got there, I realized what was happening.”
Turns out, a dog had slipped down the tall cement bank lining the canal, which was far too steep for anyone to climb back up on their own. But then the gathered crowd began to act. Forming a human chain, they united to save the poor pup, who was at risk of drowning:
From his position on the opposite bank, Gallardo watched the heartwarming collaboration unfold before his eyes.
“I couldn’t do anything else, since I was on the other side of the canal,” Gallardo said. “I did the only thing I could do — capture the scene on video, to show the act of empathy that occurred in the neighborhood.”
And in the end, their efforts paid off as those forming the human chain hoisted the dog to safety.
Thankfully, the dog did not appear injured after her harrowing ordeal.
“She went back to her owners, who are some neighbors in the area,” Gallardo said.
It isn’t known if those responsible for saving the dog are aware that their actions were captured on video, but their heroic deed hasn’t gone unnoticed. Gallardo’s video of the incident has since garnered thousands of views online, with commenters praising all those involved in the rescue.
“Restoring my faith in humanity,” one wrote, with another adding: “We need and want more humans like this.”