US: Gus the Three-Legged Dog Saves Baby Otter Along the Minnesota River

A baby otter was saved by a three-legged dog with cancer named Gus, a six-year-old Goldendoodle, during a dramatic "animal rescue operation" along the Minnesota River.

Wildlife officials deemed the incident may have ended the other way around if the dog was not there.

Animal Rescue

The incident has been considered a remarkable story between two animals, with the first battling for survival in near-freezing waters in St. Croix River in Lakeland, Minnesota, and the other fighting raging malignant tumors, according to The Guardian.

The incident occurred on April 17 when Gus spotted the struggling newborn otter and swam in the Minnesota River.

The Goldendoodle then came back to the shore carrying with his mouth the very tiny otter, which was witnessed by the dog's family, according to dog owner Cleo Young, who told CBS News affiliate WCCO.

Young reportedly feared that Gus will not be able to run as he used to after the chemotherapy and surgery. However, the incident proved that cancer was not a hindrance in saving the life of another creature.

Gus had one of his back legs amputated due to the tumors earlier this year.

The dog owner's family sent the otter to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville, Minnesota. Afterward, it was sent to another facility for further intense treatment.

In the meantime, Gus is still subject to additional chemotherapy sessions.

Goldendoodle

Also referred to as Groodle, Gus is a mixed dog breed of a Golden retriever and a Poodle.

Goldendoodles are known for their intelligence and loyalty to humans, as well as due to their energetic and affectionate nature, as per the animal news site Daily Paws.

Although there have been multiple cases of humans and other animals being rescued by dogs, the case of Gus and the otter is unique since the dog had no indications of any training, aside from the fact that the pet dog has a medical condition and is physically impaired to engage in such a feat.

Minnesota River

Over recent years, there have been similar drownings along the Minnesota River due to various reasons, including flash floods from heavy rain and isolated boating accidents.

The Minnesota River is approximately 540 kilometers (335 miles) long in Minnesota.

It stretches from the Big Stone Lake along the Minnesota-South Dakota border and to its confluence at Fort Snelling near St. Paul, as per the Minnesota River Basin Data Center (MRBDC) of the Minnesota State University (MNSU).

Pollution and Agricultural Use

The MNSU underlined that the Minnesota River is one of the most polluted rivers across the US, as also reportedly claimed by several environmental groups.

Meanwhile, agricultural activities at the Minnesota River Basin account for over 92% of the land use, as the river basin is also divided into 12 hydrological major watersheds and 13 management watersheds, which flow through some of the state's richest agricultural land, as per the MRBDC.

It encompasses an estimated 15,000 square miles covering all or some parts of the 38 counties in Minnesota.