'Your Rescue Just Rescued A Life': Dog Becomes A Hero, Saves Nearly Frozen Man

February 19, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Watertown, Wisconsin.

A rescue dog named Jagger is being hailed a hero after discovering a nearly frozen man in a Watertown backyard on Monday morning.

Katey and Jagger / TMJ4 News

Katey Higgins, Jagger’s owner, was taking him to her parents’ house when he quickly sensed something was wrong.

“[Jagger] comes through the house as regular routine, and he just likes to check things out on the deck and in the back,” Higgins explained to TMJ4 News. “Pretty instantly, he alerted us, and he was barking toward the far back corner [of the backyard].”

When Higgins and her parents stepped outside, they were shocked by what Jagger had found—an unconscious man lying in the snow between the bushes and the back of the house.

“We looked down and saw this man. It was shocking. Truly, I didn’t know if he was alive,” Higgins said.

With Jagger barking, the man managed to move his head slightly, prompting Higgins to immediately call 911.

The man, who was suffering from frostbite, was quickly rescued by first responders. He is expected to survive.

“My dad was the first one to say, 'Wow, your rescue just rescued a life,'”Higgins said.

Jagger’s heroic act has made Higgins even more grateful for the little dog she adopted from Watertown Humane Society.

“Four years ago, he was in a kill shelter in Texas. [Watertown Humane] rescued him, allowed us to rescue, and then four years later, he helps save a man’s life,” Higgins said.

She hopes Jagger’s story inspires others to support local shelters and adopt pets in need.

“I hope that it inspires people to give back, 'cause I know I went online last night and gave Watertown Humane another donation.”

Watch the video below.