There’s a reason we call them man’s best friend –– and this courageous pitbull proved exactly why!

NBC Bay Area reported that on August 15th, James White was on a fishing trip off the shore of Bodega Bay in Sonoma County, California when he felt the strong tug on his line. White had decided to leave his 1-year-old 100-pound pitbull in his car parked just a few yards away. 

After about 10 minutes of struggling to reel in whatever was on the end of the rod, White realized he had hooked a 6-foot shark. The shark pulled him closer and closer to the shallow water until it finally twisted around and managed to grab a hold of White’s ankle, puncturing an artery. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get the shark to release. 

White tossed the shark back into the water and watched it swim away. What would he have done if it hadn’t been for Darby? He surely saved his leg from more damage! 

White also said he couldn’t be more proud and thankful to his good boy for coming to the rescue. He describes Darby as an affectionate and playful dog that he didn’t even know he could spring into action like that.

“If it wasn’t for him I would have been a lot worse,” White said.

Well thank you, Darby, for proving that our dogs will always be our loyal sidekicks  –– yes, even in a SHARK ATTACK!