A small dog has reportedly rescued its timid owner from a potentially deadly encounter with a large mythical creature in the US south, and significantly bolstered business for a local real estate in the process.
Footage of the mysterious incident, which occurred in Asheville, North Carolina, shows Yorkshire terrier Ziggy bravely rushing ahead of his panicked owner and issuing a few stern barks of warning to an indistinct figure that some reports have speculated could be Bigfoot.
"No Ziggy! No," the man behind the camera, Eric Walters, can be heard saying between heavy breaths laboured by fear.
Although Ziggy quickly loses interest in the spectre and cuts away up a nearby path, the plucky little mutt's heroic actions seem to ward off the alleged sasquatch, which makes its way briskly towards the cover of the forest.
"Oh thank you Ziggy," Walters says with relief as the alleged cryptid makes its way through tall grass towards the treeline.
“Either there’s a Sasquatch out there or someone is trying to play a practical joke,” Walters told The Citizen-Times.
In what may be the key to the mystery, a sign advertising cabins for rent in the area is clearly visible in the video, much to the delight of the company's owner, Gay Weber.
"I'm flattered that even Bigfoot knows that Carolina Mornings is the best vacation rental company in Western North Carolina," Mr Weber told The Citizen-Times.
"My inbox is blowing up."
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018