A Comox Valley RCMP corporal is being praised for his bravery after saving a man and his dog from the frigid and swift-moving Puntledge River through Courtenay last night.

puntledge river, b.c.

Cpl. Chris Backus grabbed a rope and had other officers lower him into the rushing waters just before 9 a.m. PT to help a man who had gone into the river to save his dog.

By the time Backus reached the struggling pair, the man was losing his grip on a garden hose that had been tossed by someone on shore — but Backus was able to hold the man's dog as the man was pulled to safety.

Backus then ensured the dog had also been pulled out before he climbed up a rope ladder tossed by firefighters.