Man rescues pet rabbit from River Liffey 03-07-2011 P1

This daring rescue too place in Dublin's city center on a beautiful July evening. Let me tell you the story of what happed.
A well known and liked homeless man who has fallen upon hard times keeps two pets a small Jack Russell Terrier and a rabbit. They are his companions and rarely leave his side. On this particular evening a young man of 18 decides to commit a horrible act of animal cruelty by stealing the rabbit and tossing in into the river Liffey. The homeless man leaps to the rescue of his beloved pet and braves the tidal river. Miraculously he manages to save the rabbit from drowning but in the process becomes stranded below the bridge. Freezing cold and unable to reach the bank the awaits his own rescue by the Dublin fire brigade.

Half way through the rescue the man is seen scuffling with the rescue team this was down to the fact they were taking him away from the bridge where his dog was waiting.

Reports after the event claim the person responsible for throwing the rabbit into the river was arrested on charges of public disorder and animal cruelty. he is due in court July 21st to face the charges. The homeless man and his pets are fine and can still be seen begging on the streets of Dublin.

The rabbit's name is Bernie and the man's John.

UPDATE: Tuesday July 12th at 11.45am ARAN will be giving this man an award for his compassion and bravery. email ARAN for more.

Video by Sebastian Dooris.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Man
• rescues
• pet
• rabbit
• from
• River
• Liffey
• 03-07-2011
• Dublin
• Ireland
• news
• breaking
• animal
• cruelty
• daring
• brave
• homeless
• love
• dog
• animals
• pets

[b4rcelona]

'a young man of 18 decides to commit a horrible act of animal cruelty by stealing the rabbit and tossing in into the river' - god damn, isnt it enough that he is homeless and his 2 best friends are animals and this 18 year old still does this shit, thats just sick man.. no one is telling you to give the homeless guy 100$ but at least respect him on a human level..that stuff just makes me mad, his life is already bad enough for him to make it worse, just ridiculous.

[ArwenPendragon]

Look at him stroking the bunny's ears to calm it down. :'( And the sad thing is, that 18-year-old bastard who threw it in the river will probably get a slap on the wrist, then go on to university and become some business executive and spend the rest of his life doing whatever the hell he feels like with absolutely no compassion or consideration for other people. Our society seems to reward that kind of soullessness.

[BaThEeShA]

Fucking little kids think they are adults when they turn 18 but they fucking act childish. Unbelievably pathetic.

[Deirdre1211lekker]

@Ana198147 I saw him on monday, the dog was a sand& black colour, I felt sorry for him as he looked really thin. they should really be given a home together, I really hope to see them when Im in dublin again :-(

[Deirdre1211lekker]

I saw this man in dublin on monday and spoke to him, he is a lovely man and his pets are so cute. I couldnt believe it when he told me someone did this to the poor rabbit. he told me that the hostels wont take him in over them animals but what I find ironic is if he had a needle stuck in his arm he would be able to find a place. I hope someone helps him get back on his feet, seeing him on the street with his pets was the saddest thing Ive seen in a long time.

[Radarfilms100]

Fuck sake, somebody speak English!!!

[Ana198147]

I agree with you that no animal especially rabbits and dogs as well should be living in the street with him ! I do not question his love for pets but I think he can't take care of them in a proper way

[Ana198147]

I do not appreciate the way he USES HIS ANIMALS to collect money, he's aware that people feel sorry for pets but if he was offered a flat from city council (if that's true) why he would't leave them at home ? Rabbits, they hate cold and wind, dunno what to think about it.

[Ana198147]

I saw him two weeks ago and 2day (18/02/2012) with different dog each time ! I do not question his love for pets but CAN HE REALLY TAKE CARE OF THEM? dog he had lately looked really UNHEALTHY ! I guess he would't have money to vaccinate his dogs. Some organisation should help him to keep the animals in good health cause he's simply not able to manage.

[007BabyBond]

I talked to this man today. I asked if the story was true and he told me to look it up on youtube. I told him someone put the story on Tumblr and he had over 100,000 reblogs. He didn't know what I meant or what Tumblr was so I told him that basically over 100,000 people appreciate what he did. He looked so humbled

[birdydeathPSN]

@lrishRebeI FUCK OFF NICOLE!!LEON LEON LEON!

[JordoF6]

@ArwenPendragon Well that is not going to happen since the 18 yaer old was a knacker/traveller.