It is best to decide in advance what to do in these situations, not give in to the adrenaline and emotion at the time.
You should not risk your life to save an animal.
You might to save a person, particularly a loved one. But to attempt a rescue that you really can’t particularly achieve does not help. It is a tough call, but just running headlong into danger does not always help someone.
So sorry for the loved ones of this family.
Seems like they were playing fetch into the ocean riptide. The family probably had no idea of the danger until it was too late.
You throw the stick into waters, you are responsible for your dog. Not the entire family, but definitely whoever threw the stick!
People don’t make these decisions saying, “I’m going to risk my life to save my dog.” They don’t think they’re risking their lives. They think they’ll be okay. They overestimate their strength and underestimate the strength of nature.
The other family members went in to save beloved humans, not the dog.