Not here to sell a damned thing. But seeing such rescues made me realize that I needed a water knife. Got a Morakniv (sp?) water knife for $20 a few years ago. Looks like they're $45 now (fuck inflation and tariffs!)

https://us.morakniv.com/products/flytande-kniv-s?_pos=1&_psq=water&_psid=822972814&_ss=e

Go go Swedish knife!

No point, slips under rope without hurting the animal, which may be YOU or a friend, weighs nothing. How about if a loose rope is dragging someone down?

It's just a cheap seeming blade, buy mine's stayed plenty sharp for 5-years. I've abused hell out of it, no particular care, take it on every water trip, cut hundreds of bits of fishing gear out the rivers, creeks and swamps. Also beat it up digging common plants out the sand and muck for my native ponds at home.

Was up against a log on a creek one day, ready to head out, there's my knife bobbing right next to my kayak, like it's supposed to. The cork grip has stayed tough despite being left outside way to much.

Anyway, you need something that's not pointy and able to saw rope quickly on the water. The life you save may depend on such a light, bright, non-pointy knife. Maybe there's a cheaper version of such a knife now?