A man was injured Tuesday afternoon after entering a canal in central Fresno to rescue his dog and later had to be rescued by firefighters, according to the Fresno Fire Department.

Firefighters responded shortly after 2 p.m. to the 1500 block of E. Olive Avenue after receiving reports that a person had been swept away in a canal after jumping in to rescue a dog.

With assistance from the Fresno Police Department’s helicopter, crews located an adult man downstream. Fire officials said he was in distress, clinging to the side of the canal while holding onto the dog.

Firefighters entered the canal and used a ground ladder to safely reach the man. Both he and the dog were rescued from the water.

The man was taken to a local hospital with injuries sustained while in the canal. The dog was not injured and was reunited with a family member.

The fire department reminded the public that canals can be extremely dangerous because of fast-moving water, steep concrete walls, and strong currents.

Officials urged residents to stay out of canals, keep pets on a leash near waterways, and use caution around them.

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