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.

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[Seb Dooris]

Hi sits on Henry st with his rabbit and two dogs begging just about every day now.

[MegaMushface]

the dirt bag who threw the rabbit in the liffey got 3 months today

[Nicki Dardis]

His dog was alone on the bridge with the guy who threw the rabbit over. They wanted to bring him further away to get checked but he wouldn't leave the dog. The rabbit is perfectly safe and he still sits with him to this day.

[Nicki Dardis]

Eriisrad is right. He was freaking out because his dog was still on the bridge with the sick fucker who threw the rabbit over. 

[littlenelly99]

How do you know this ??

[eriisrad]

He was freaking out at the end because his dog was still on the bridge by itself

[Neil McCormack]

The bunny did make it

[TheJLJuke]

he didnt wanna leave his dog who was still on the bridge

[jackoconnor20000]

The bunny made it

[VennylaJericho]

Why was there a struggle at the end of the video between the man and two boat drivers? And what happened to the bunny?

[Krzysztof Cygan]

The bunny didn't make it?