The couple were taking their pet for a walk along the Meuse River in Sorcy-Saint-Martin, France, when the dog slipped into the water. The pup was caught in the strong current and swept along the river.
According to one witness, the man jumped into the water first. But he was also swept away by the strong current and got stuck inside a concrete tunnel under a nearby road.
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A rescue mission gone wrong
His partner, a 25-year-old woman, then followed her dog and partner into the water. A passerby called the emergency services, which arrived within minutes.
Firefighters managed to pull the couple out of the water. Both were unconscious. Rescue workers spent 40 minutes trying to revive the pair, but their attempts were unsuccessful
The dog was later found wandering near the side of the river a few miles away.
The cause of death is believed to be drowning, although a full investigation is underway.
Tragic stories like this are all too familiar. Last week, Cathal Mulvaney drowned while rescuing his dog at Lough Ramor in Virginia, Co Cavan, USA.
And in November last year, a 33-year-old from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, died while attempting to save a dog from drowning in the sea near Esplanade Beach.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) urges people not to go into the water for their pets if the animal appears in danger.
Find a safe place and call for help
"Often when a dog does get into difficulty, the owners want to help them but, in doing so, put themselves into more danger," said Simon Hannaford, RNLI community safety officer. "We ask that you never enter the water after your furry friend but instead call for emergency help instead."
If a dog falls into water, the RNLI advises owners to move to a place the animal can reach safely and call out to them. Most dogs can and will swim to safety on their own. If not, dial 999 immediately and wait for the experts to arrive.
