In a surprising rescue operation, a fishing crew saved over three dozen dogs from Grenada Lake, Mississippi on Wednesday, June 19. The dogs, discovered more than a mile offshore by the fishermen, were found wearing radio collars and marked with white paint. Reportedly part of a fox hunt gone wrong, these 38 dogs had chased a deer into the lake and became stranded.

Fishermen Bob Gist from Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Brad Carlisle from Covington, Tennessee joined local fishing guide Jordan Chrestman in the rescue efforts. The crew made two trips to save all the dogs. During their first trip, they successfully rescued 27 dogs despite one showing aggression. About 30 to 45 minutes later, they returned to save the remaining 11 animals.

Bob Gist explained that these hounds had followed a deer into the lake during a hunt and lost their way back.

“They were lost. The dogs were at least a mile offshore. The way their heads were in the water there’s no way they could see the shore. They were dog paddling and completely lost,” said Gist.

The owner of the hounds, who was present but unable to perform the rescue due to lack of boat access, reportedly tried to offer money as thanks for saving his dogs—a gesture declined by the rescuers. According to Gist’s account shared with Action News 5 – which initially reported on this dramatic rescue – these panicked animals were in desperate situation having been treading water for about an hour before help arrived.

The backstory provided further reveals that during hunts sometimes accidents like jumping a large body of water can occur leading animals astray: “The dogs jumped a deer; the deer ran and jumped in the lake and ran off and left the dogs. The dogs kept trying to follow the deer and got lost,” Gist recounted.

Highlighting another crucial remark by Gist explaining their culmination efforts:

“We were scared to ask. All I know is we rescued every dog we saw. Dog paddling and treading water for 45-60 minutes in the middle of is a long time.”

These unexpected heroes highlight not only human compassion but also emphasize how quickly outdoor leisure activities can turn into life-threatening situations for animals involved in sport like hunting where instincts can drive them past safe perimeters unknowingly.