Man swept to sea while trying to save dog
POINT REYES, Calif. (AP) - A man has been swept to sea and drowned while trying to save his dog hit by a rogue wave on a Northern California beach.
The Coast Guard says the man and his wife were walking on the beach near Point Reyes on New Year's Day when a wave overtook the dog. Point Reyes is a popular tourist destination about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the couple went into the water to rescue the dog but the man was swept away.
His body was found about three hours later.
The wife and dog made it safely to shore.
Names haven't been released.
In November, three people drowned in roiling surf while trying to save their dog at Big Lagoon state beach near Arcata.
The Coast Guard says the man and his wife were walking on the beach near Point Reyes on New Year's Day when a wave overtook the dog. Point Reyes is a popular tourist destination about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the couple went into the water to rescue the dog but the man was swept away.
His body was found about three hours later.
The wife and dog made it safely to shore.
Names haven't been released.
In November, three people drowned in roiling surf while trying to save their dog at Big Lagoon state beach near Arcata.
Beautiful photo of that beach... We used to love to go to Pt Reyes... Â
So very sorry about the man losing his life.. those waters can be treacherous... Â
Condolences to his family and friends for their loss...
This is the reason I keep my dogs on a lead attached to a harness, whether at the beach, river, or just hiking. Much easier (and safer) to pull them back with a lead versus plunging ahead to save them. Granted, if I didn't have a lead and harness, I can't say I wouldn't run out there trying to save them.
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 @Manic Peddy What the heck is wrong with you?  Are you a sociopath?
Now that was a stupid thing to do...
As stupid as It may sound to some, I would gladly risk my life for my dog. I know he would risk his to save me.
I love my dog, but if I were in the same situation, I would not go in after him. You can bet I'd be on shore praying though, and hoping he makes it back to me alive!
 @Debbie457 I keep my dog on a 120 foot training lead attached to a harness for when we are walking close to the water.  Frisbee catch is played far enough away from the waters edge so there is no threat.
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I do the same with my toddler grandchildren, though their lead is much shorter. Â LOL, the fact I have my grand kids on a leash doesn't bother my daughter because when she was a young toddler, thirty years ago, I hooked her up to one of my police dog leads. Â That was long before the Kinder Leases came out. Â That said, my mother-in-law was not pleased when we sent her pictures.
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Ah well.
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 @Tox  @Debbie457 ~  I had a friend in Calif some years back now; she had 2 toddlers, and when she went shopping, she put harnesses and leashes on them.. She said not only did it keep them from straying off (and safe from someone just grabbing them), but her KIDS liked it, because they always knew that Mom was very close by..!  :-)
 @Tox  @Debbie457Â
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Took my young son to the ocean last summer to see "the big water".
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He was scared, for about 11 seconds, then ran full tilt chasing after the receeding water.
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He is short, and slow and at this point easy to catch. Next time I am not certain I won't put him on a leash too.
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Folks, let the dog go. Do not risk your life to save the dog. Many times the dog makes it out just fine but now a wife has become a widow. Not worth the risk.
Second time in a couple of months..... Why can't intelligent humans learn that dogs are much better swimmers than we are! Also rip tide currents will grab a long human body, which would be predominately verticle in the water, much more than a dogs body, which would be horizointal in the water. I trained as a lifeguard and then joined the U.S.Coast Guard and have seen a small measure of what "normal" people do while on the beach. It's really sad to see this happen, knowing full well that it was completely avoidable. People need to really learn about wilderness areas, and beaches before venturing out into them.