A resident in Bali has shared how her pet dog saved her life during the recent floods, waking her just as water was pouring into her bedroom.
The heartfelt moment unfolded when President Prabowo Subianto visited flood-hit areas on the island, walking through narrow alleys and riverbanks to meet affected residents.
In a video shared on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Saturday (13 September 2025), the woman recalled how her dog scratched her awake at around four in the morning.
“Sir, this is what woke me up during the flood, sir,” she told Prabowo, pointing to the dog standing at her feet.
“It woke you up?” Prabowo asked with surprise.
“Yes, it scratched me,” she replied. “It was still four o’clock in the morning.”
The woman said the floodwater had already entered her room, but she had been fast asleep.
“Yes, at 4 a.m.,” she explained.
“Wow,” Prabowo said, visibly amazed.
“The water was already in the room, and he woke me up. If not, I wouldn’t have known, sir,” she continued.
“Oh my, oh my, you’re a hero,” Prabowo said warmly, crouching to address the dog.
“Yes, yes, he’s my hero,” the woman replied with a smile.
“Oh dear, oh dear, you saved your master,” Prabowo added.
According to the Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), there were 120 flood points across seven districts and cities during the downpour, with Denpasar City recording the highest number at 81.
Barking Dogs Help Alert Residents as Floods Sweep Bali
@tribunbengkulu Kisah Anjing Bali Moka yang Selamatkan Ayu dan Keluarga Saat Banjir Bandang Menerjang #fyp ♬ Epic Inspiring – Kidmada
The floods were triggered by nearly 24 hours of heavy rain from September 9 to 10, which brought the worst inundation to Bali in 70 years. Many homes and streets were submerged, resulting in extensive damage and necessitating evacuations.
Yet, amid the rising water, it was the dogs that sounded the alarm. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, who accompanied the president on his visit to the Badung area, said residents credited the dogs’ barking for saving their lives.
“These dogs saved the lives of residents from a major flood,” Teddy said, quoting testimonies from locals.
He explained that dogs living near the river began barking persistently in the early hours, waking people from their sleep. This unusual behaviour, he said, acted as an instinctive warning system.
“The barking of the dogs woke residents from their deep sleep at 3:00 a.m., a critical time when the flood was reaching its peak,” Teddy added.
Residents then scrambled to gather valuables and evacuate to safer ground before the water rose further.
The story has sparked widespread appreciation, with officials praising the role of pets in emergencies. As Teddy noted, “This incident shows how loyal and sensitive animals can be to their surroundings.”
For the woman in Badung and many others, their dogs were more than companions that night. They were lifesavers.
