This is the moment a hero cop in North Carolina saves a tiny tethered pitbull pup just as it’s about to be engulfed by rising flood water.

The dog had been apparently abandoned and tied to a fence as tropical storm Ophelia floods engulfed Greenville on 23rd September.

Officer Benjamin Schultz is seen wading through knee high waters as he unties the pooch and scoops it up into his arms just as the flood reaches the dog’s chin.

Greenville, NC Police Department said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “The dog, a small pit bull, was tied to a fence and was just inches from drowning.

“He is safe from harm now and Animal Protective Services will be conducting a follow-up investigation.

“Thank you to the Good Samaritan who called this in! Without you, he wouldn’t be alive.”

The police video was viewed more than 89,000 times by Facebook users who praised the officer for bravery.

Facebook user ‘Sally McCann’ said: “People don’t deserve dogs! Thank you to this wonderful police officer!!! Now please press charges!”

User ‘Lorrie Bloyer Stagner’ commented: “Thank you officer Shultz. I hope charges are pressed against the owners.”

And ‘Deb Majors’ added: “Thank you for saving this precious pup! No pet should ever be tied to a fence and left to drown.

“I don’t know how some people can be so cruel, but am so glad he’s safe now and hope that someone will ensure he stays safe from now on.”

The tropical storm began developing as a cyclone over the Atlantic Ocean last week, before making landfall in the state of North Carolina over the weekend.

It is reportedly now forecast to bring a month’s worth of rain in the east side of the USA.