DAVIE, Fla. – Surveillance cameras captured the moments neighbors called for help after a man jumped into a lake to save his pet.
Residents of Cameron Cove Apartments in Davie watched a man jump into the body of water on Sunday, trying to save his pet parrot.
That man, 40-year-old Dimitrious Alexiou, eventually drowned, and loved ones are devastated over his unexpected death.
A neighbor named Walter spoke to Local 10 News about what happened, but did not want to give his full name.
“The last thing I heard was he yelled, ‘Help me,’ and he went under,” Walter said.
Ring camera video shows people yelling for help and the police response soon after.
Alexiou’s friend and neighbor Carson Ross says Alexiou previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a lineman. He is stunned this happened.
“Everyone was saying he swam into the middle like a champ,” Ross said. “I just heard that he kinda cramped up.”
Ross isn’t surprised Alexiou jumped in to save his pet parrot, who ended up surviving.
“He treats his pets like they’re his kids,” said Ross.
Alexiou’s pets are now being cared for by his friends.
No foul play is suspected in his death, according to police.