The Canal

In a dystopia timeline we humans have become the prey. Zombies...no demons roam the land searching for their next meal. There's a town that is known as the last safe place. The only thing standing in between us and safety is the canal. It houses these creatures that look like dogs but act like humans. Of course, at one time they were human. The canoe starts to move and fear engulfs me. Halfway through it attacks. I wake up in the "safe town". I was spared from the attack...but why?