Long Beach lifeguards rescue dog swimming out to sea, reunite it with owner

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Lifeguards in Long Beach rescued a small lapdog who was swimming out to sea Saturday and later united the dog with its owner.

Lifeguards were called out to the Junipero Beach parking lot around 6 p.m. Saturday after people had reported a dog running loose in the lot, according to the Long Beach Fire Department. 

When lifeguards got there, they tried to corral the dog, but it was able to escape, ran to the ocean and started swimming out to sea. One of the lifeguards jumped into action, put on a wetsuit, grabbed his rescue board and buoy and went out to get the dog. 

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The dog made it out to the swim line, according to LBFD, and the lifeguard was able to get it on his board with the help of one of the rescue boats. 

The lifeguard brought the pup to shore and Animal Services came to help it. Now, the LBFD is searching for the dog's owner.