SARASOTA, Fla. (WSVN)– A Florida man proved himself to be a true patriot when he dove into a lake near Sarasota to save an injured American eagle.
Lakewood Ranch residents Doug Hay and his wife said they were sitting in their living room when they heard a crash in the lake near their backyard.
“It was a huge splash. Huge splash,” said Doug. “I was in the living room and heard a crash in the lake. I looked over, and it was an eagle.”
The couple went to inspect the source and encountered an injured bald eagle in an alligator-infested lake.
Without hesitation, Doug said, he launched himself into the waters, swimming about 100 yards to come to the bird’s rescue.
“I ran out because I know they can’t swim, and threw my shirt off and my flip-flops, and I jumped in because I wanted to save it,” said Doug. “When I got there, I didn’t see her because she went under. I was looking around. She finally bobbed up, and I grabbed her by the legs with my right hand and started doing the dog paddle to shore.”
Doug’s wife, Diana Hay, wasn’t too happy about his decision.
“She was screaming at me,” said Doug. “Profanities.”
“I was screaming at him not to go in there,” said Diana. “He just kept going in.”
Once on land, a trapper was able to wrangle the bird and get her the help she needs. Doug said he’d do it all over again.
“That would be in my head the rest of my life if I couldn’t save this bird. I had to do it,” he said. “Just wanted to get to the eagle and save it. It’s our national symbol. It’s freedom. It’s America.”
According to Doug, there was another bald eagle circling above the lake. He suspects the two birds were fighting.
The eagle was transferred to the wildlife center of Southwest Florida in Venice, where it is expected to make a full recovery.
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.