Video: Man Risks Life to Save Drowning Dog in King Tides, Needs Rescuing Himself
Fire and brimstone – or, rather, rain and swell – has besieged California this winter.
It’s been almost biblical, hence the reference, with historic rainfall, multiple runs of big, often angry surf, erosion, Mother Nature swallowing coastal infrastructure whole, surf spot parking lots demolished, iconic surf spot gathering grounds gone…
End of days kind of stuff. It’s legit dangerous out there. Not just surfing, either; even just walking the dog down the beach is hazardous, as seen below.
The clip shows a harrowing situation in which, apparently, a man was walking his dog at Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica just south of San Francisco, when things went horribly wrong. As alleged, the dog was swept out to sea during high surf and king tide conditions; the man jumped in to save the pooch; then both needed rescuing.
Luckily, both man and dog made it out okay.
Per Coastside News, here’s the story:
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“Reminder that King Tides along the California coast right now are especially dangerous. At around 11 a.m. today (Jan. 14) Coastside News photographer Anna Hoch-Kenney was at Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica when she witnessed a dog get swept out. As the dog got pulled further and further out the owner followed resulting in a rescue of both. Both dog and owner are safe now thanks to rescue crew.”
While no lifeguards were on the scene to jump in and save the dog/owner duo, the rescuers did use a circular life preserver. And apparently, that was enough.
“Thanks to the recently installed life ring (courtesy @seavalor_org) and the swift response of a dedicated rescue crew, both a dog and its owner have been safely rescued,” the Arunay Foundation wrote. “Life rings can be invaluable in emergencies like the one, providing a lifeline to those in distress. They can make the difference between life and tragedy.”
Stay safe out there.
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