A heroic dog made the ultimate sacrifice when he pulled his owner to safety, after the man had passed out on railway tracks. The loyal dog was seen dragging his suicidal owner out of the way of an oncoming train in the city of Karaganda in Kazakhstan on Friday.

A 48-year-old unemployed man later told authorities he had wanted to commit suicide having "had enough" and drank a bottle of vodka before falling asleep on the railway tracks. The resident of Maykuduka was treated for a couple of broken ribs and cut to his shoulder, according to Info-Tses news. 

Aida Muldasheva, the investigator with the local transport police, said of the incident, "Upon seeing the train, the dog started pulling its owner away...When train drivers saw the dog on the rail tracks, they applied the emergency brake."

Unfortunately, the train was unable to stop in time and ran over the dog's hind quarters, killing him instantly.

The dog was a Turkmen Alabai, an ancient breed considered a national treasure in Turkmenistan. The Turkem Alabai breed is renowned as a courageous protector of his/her family and as a loyal friend.

The Alabai are a breed renowned for courage, bravery and loyalty to their families.

• Alabai
• train tracks
• Kazakhstan
• Karaganga