A social-media clip that captures a pit bull's dramatic lunge into the water to fetch a live fish for her owner has stunned viewers across the internet.
The viral video has been viewed more than 8.3 million times since it was first shared to the TikTok account @chynastorm1222 on January 26. It shows the female dog's plunge and her owner's tense wait for her to resurface unharmed.
The Smart Canine, a website that shares information about a variety of dog breeds, says that most pit bulls are good swimmers. However, precautions need to be taken to ensure that their time in the water is safe.
"While not all pit bulls are suited to be great swimmers, they can swim perfectly fine with training and proper precautions. Unlike a [Labrador], pit bulls aren't natural swimmers and will have a big disadvantage in water due to their dense muscular frame, large heads and short legs. But even so, plenty of pit bulls enjoy swimming every year," The Smart Canine says online.
The pit bull, named Storm, spent a total of 50 seconds under the water, before returning with a large fish in her mouth. Her owner shared, in a video that can be seen here, that the dog had been abused.
The nerve-wracking clip, which has gained a viewer discretion warning on TikTok, left audiences entranced, concerned for the welfare of the pit bull and uncertain if she would emerge from the lake, safe and sound.
One TikTok user commented under the post: "Not me yelling at the phone "OMG [oh my god] COME UP FOR AIR COME UP!!!"
"OMG my anxiety trying to save him through the phone, yelling help him," another added.
What Do the Comments Say?
Since it had been shared to the social-media platform on January 26 by @chynastorm1222, the TikTok post has been liked by over 875,000 users and commented on more than 8,200 times. Viewers voiced their takes on the viral moment in the post's comments section.
"Never saw a swimming pitbull. And this one is scuba-certified," one user wrote.
Another added: "Damn that dog can hold it's breath that long."
"That IS NOT A PITBULL she's a mermaid," shared a third.
A different TikTok user joked: "Are you positive that's a pitbull and not a pit-seal?"
Newsweek reached out to @chynastorm1222 for more information via email.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom.
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