It’s difficult to tell what we would do in a life-or-death scenario to save an animal; those who do deserve to be called “heroes.”

Don Chatten was out walking his two dogs in Buffalo, New York, on a very cold day when a woman approached him and asked for his assistance in locating her tiny puppy.

He didn’t hesitate to assist her, but when he eventually found the lost dog, he recognized the danger and felt he needed to act quickly.

Don realized he didn’t have much time if he was going to save the puppy that had fallen into the cold waters of Ellicott Creek Park.

Don called 911 but, knowing that it might be too late, opted to rescue the dog himself, according to WKBW News.

He attempted crawling across the ice, but it broke, dumping him waist-deep into the freezing water.

“I knew it wasn’t really deep in this part because I used to come here when I was a kid,” Don told WKBW News.

According to the TV station, the shivering dog was subsequently transported to the vet to be examined.

In the video below, you may learn more about this animal lover’s brave deeds.