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Dog Stays for Hours Beside Owner Killed in Apparent Hit-and-Run

May. 5, 2012 3:24pm Madeleine Morgenstern

A Santa Cruz animal shelter official described the dog as a small terrier mix.

A faithful canine stayed by his deceased owner’s side after the man was killed in an apparent hit-and-run while riding his bicycle along a northern California highway.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported the man lay dead in the road for as long as 12 hours beginning Thursday night before a passerby spotted his body, wrecked bike and dog Friday morning and called 911.

The victim was described as a white male, approximately 50 years old. The accident scene had been partially obscured by vegetation, the Sentinel reported.

Police said headlight debris and other items in the road indicated the man was struck by a car.

The dog — described as a small terrier mix similar to “Toto” in “The Wizard of Oz” — had had a crate attached to the bike, police said. The dog appeared unharmed and was picked up by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter for evaluation.

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Comments (64)

Shadow_knight
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:20am
This comment isn’t related to this story per se, however it does involve dogs. Listening to the news this morning, I caught a story about how laws are potentially in the works for not allowing pets to be in the front seat of your vehicle. Astonished the commentators were that 31% admit to being distracted when they let their pets in the front… Not once did any of them say the converse, 69% admit they are not distracted. Whether you feel that is a good idea or not, we can debate that. But, shouldn’t it be your choice to make? If you feel you’re distracted, you can make the choice to put your pet in the back. So many regulations, rules,…. when is enough, enough? It’s so tiring, all these nuance, petty, rules coming into this world. Things that were perfectly fine yesteryear not so much anymore.

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- HateLessTolerateMore
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 12:46pm
  The distraction issue aside, it’s actually not safe for the dog to be in the front seat if they’re heavy enough to set off the airbag in a collision (my purse or a bag of groceries is often enough to set the airbag as I believe it’s as little as 4-6 lbs). Dogs don’t sit in the seat the same way humans do, so their faces tend to be much closer to the dash board. In a collision that causes the airbag to deploy, it could cause serious damage to your canine companion. So, unless you can disengage the passenger side airbag, or your pup is small and sitting in a booster seat attached to the seat back, putting no weight on the seat (which would engage the airbag), it’s safer for your pet to be in the back seat.
  
  Report this comment
- Shadow_knight
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:24pm
  A noteworthy, interesting, rebuttal. However, should you be punished for it? Life is dangerous. At any moment, for any reason, anybody could be maimed or killed. It’s a risk just waking up and taking on the day. Who wants to live their life, constantly worrying about what could potentially happen. If, Sometimes, Maybe, Might…. doesn’t. Again, the pet in the front… it’s petty. But, at one time, seat belts were petty. Being on a cell was petty. We’re potentially looking at pet restrictions, and it’s petty as stated earlier. Someday, singing to the radio will be petty….. and all of these, punishable. When does it stop?
  
  Report this comment
- sasquatch08
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:59pm
  But Shadow, you’re not smart enough to make decisions for yourself! That’s why the government has to do it for you!
  
  I mean if we let everyone be free, some people would make stupid decisions and hurt themselves, some would probably die. In this case a dog might actually be injured!
  
  Either way, if we don’t have the government thinking for us the really dumb people will die off before reproducing. If that happens, who will vote Democrat 20 years from now?
  
  Report this comment
RightPolitically
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:02am
Hit and runs are out of control. There is so little respect and concern for others in our society and this is one of the results. But I believe the real reason lies elsewhere too. Drunk drivers, illegal aliens and those with suspended or no licenses have little incentive to stop and aid their victims. Get those things under control and this kind of thing would happen a lot less frequently. The huge increase in hit and runs is the result of our steady decline as a nation due to leniency and PC.

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Apple Bite
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:01am
Looks like a Carin Terrier mixed with another small terrier…

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deadend
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:45am
They are Gods gift to man. islam says you should kill dogs that shows you what a vile cult it is.

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- HateLessTolerateMore
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 12:59pm
  Your comment is entirely off topic as this article has NOTHING to do with religion.
  
  But since you brought it up:
  “The majority of both Sunni and Shi’a Muslim jurists consider dogs to be ritually unclean (Najis).[23]. Outside their ritual uncleanness, individual Islamic fatāwā, or rulings, have expressed that dogs be treated kindly or else be freed.”
  
  Ritually unclean, meaning not pure for worship. This does not automatically mean treat the animal cruelly.
  
  Report this comment
Welder
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:29am
Dogs, and I prefer the company of mine to that of most humanoids.

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JarheadX
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 5:21am
I have a Westie, very much like this little chicken. She has stayed close to me through the death of her mate, my Mom, and my Wife… all in 3 months time. She is older now and needs lots of attention, and I will stick by her til the end. She’s 1000% more faithful and intelligent than any friend or family member

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- t00nces2
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:14am
  “The more I know about people, the better I like my dog.” – Mark Twain
  
  Report this comment
- Abraham Young
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:52am
  Hmmm, very interesting – the breakdown of the family continues.
  
  Report this comment
- genevalove
  Posted on May 7, 2012 at 3:58pm
  thank you jarheadx you speak with love and wisdom.may your little one have many more days ahead
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 2:11am
so sad :,,,,,,(

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piper60
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 12:54am
Saddest part is, it took 12 hours for anybody to see the victim and his dog.

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- Anamah
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 1:18am
  Amazing animals! They are our true angels…and this poor one a sweetheart. I good like to know about this dog future.
  
  Report this comment
dontbotherme
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 10:34pm
Dogs are amazing. They love unconditionally & are so loyal. This is a sweet, but heartbreaking story. I hope everything turns out well for the dog, and that the driver is found so that justice may be served for the man who died. I pray that God’s kindness & mercy help the man’s family & friends with the pain of their loss.

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RamonPreston
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 9:03pm
I feel for the dog. Do you think he can comprehend the death of his owner and that he will never see him again?

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QuranIsCorruptAndMuhammadPossessedBySatan
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:23pm
Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, told his men to KILL ALL DOGS because angels didn’t visit them if they had pet dogs.

Shows you what type of religion Islam is.

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- Baddoggy
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:58pm
  Obama would just eat the dog…
  
  Report this comment
- woebegone
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:59pm
  I have several copies of the Koran–please give me the book, chapter and verse. I will be quite happy to report the quote the scripture. I am being honest here, not contentious at all–I have the resource to back up your comment and am more than willing to do so. Please inform. By the way, I have no real religious affiliation, grown up Christian of sorts but endlessly searching so have every commonplace religious text immediately at hand. Direct me and I’ll quote the text.
  
  Report this comment
- deadend
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:44am
  I was trying to think how to introduce this into the conversation but it looks like you beat me to it.
  
  Report this comment
AxelPhantom
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 6:48pm
Of the six dogs we own two, NEVER leave my side.

The other day I laid down in the pasture on a picnic table we have back there, just to stop and smell the roses and the big one “assumed the position” next to me, looking side to side, the other did the same on the other side of me, making sure that no one was approaching from any direction. The other 4 were out and about in various positions in the pasture.

I fell asleep and when I woke up 30 minutes later, they were all just as they had been.

Anyone or thing that wanted to get to me would have to go through them first. What a wonderful feeling to know, that without reservation you are the most important thing to them in the world and that they would lay down their lives to protect you.

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- oneshiner
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:59pm
  How sweet. I’ve heard some people prefer their animals over people. Now, that’s loyalty having your dog stand beside you like that. We’ve seen several instances of dogs standing by their dead dog companion and it just makes me cry for their hurt and loyalty. Who says dog’s don’t understand?
  
  Report this comment
- RamonPreston
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 8:57pm
  Yup. Got one like that. Sleeps with me, goes with me. Can get very jealous of other dogs if they pay attention to me.
  
  Report this comment
- AxelPhantom
  Posted on May 6, 2012 at 5:17am
  One shiner,
  With a husband of 20+ years, 5 kids 2 with spouses, our friends, their friends and a very large extended family (our Christmas table seats 26), I get my daily share of people as well. :)
  
  Report this comment
turbo
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:44pm
Dog, God spelled backwards. Unconditional love.
That about sums it up.

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- genevalove
  Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:06pm
  yes it doesanyone who doesn’t love,respect dogs,has not evolved.dog fighters ,evil humans who starve and torture,and obama figures in there.
  
  Report this comment
okieqt
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:20pm
I hope they’re able to reunite him with a family member!

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Brian
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:15pm
Rest in peace my friend.

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hillbillyinny
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:36pm
Sorry @ eaglescout, @wolf is correct according to THIS ARTICLE. It speaks only of a “crate” (not what type–milk crate or dog crate, that some people call a “cage”), not a “basket” and doesn’t state whether the dog was in the crate (probably) before the accident, or running along side.

In the article referenced in THIS ARTICLE, from The Santa Cruz Sentinel the headline there does use the term “basket.” So, technically @eaglescout is correct!

Maybe there will be pictures if you must know, and as far as I believe no one can be ABSOLUTELY SURE what happened before the accident. . .

Aren’t our minds wonderful!

Sad and touching story. I’ve worked with dogs for over forty-five years for many, many purposes. The are “magic” when they’re good, and “the devel” when they’re bad–but love ‘em either way!

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- Gorp
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:02pm
  I’m going to do my own assuming here.
  
  I’m assuming that there was a crate, that resembled a cage, that was being used as a basket, that the dog probably was in at one time, but probably wasn’t in after the crash, because he was running alongside the bicycle.
  
  If the forensic people did their work they would probably find that dog’s ****, or DNA, inside the crate,cage,basket, which would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that, at least at one time, the dog was inside it…
  
  That’s just my assumption.
  
  Report this comment
- MSBrewer
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 6:11pm
  The article says “The dog — described as a small terrier mix similar to “Toto” in “The Wizard of Oz” — had had a crate attached to the bike, police said.”
  
  Thereby, implying that the dog had either contracted the work out, or somehow coerced the owner, to install the crate onto the bike. I think he used the threat of force or perhaps used force itself to get this work done, and why wouldn’t he stay with the bike he had a lot invested in that crate thing.
  
  All joking aside, dogs are awesome like that sometimes, just not my dogs…mine would probably destroy the evidence and find alcohol bottles to make it look like it was my fault.
  
  Report this comment
- oneshiner
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 8:23pm
  Doesn’t matter if there was a crate……..the article starts out by saying the~ faithful~ dog stayed beside his owner, meaning to me that the dog was loose and could have wandered away, but because he was faithful, he stayed. Penned in a crate is not faithful, just reality.
  
  Report this comment
lukerw
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:24pm
Would… Obama’s Dog… EAT HIM?

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jhaydeng
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:08pm
Lindsey Lohan no jail time for hit and run fyi!

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spfoam1
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:07pm
@ Walkabout…ever seen milk crate? It does not say the dog was still in the crate, it says the owner attached a crate to the bike (for the dog to ride in). I will guess that the crate was one of those topless, stackable, plastic milk crates used at grocery stores, not a wooden crate you would ship something in. Think about it.

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blackyb
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:48pm
There are plenty of people like animals: Some are like snakes, sharks, rats and cockroaches.
—————-
Then there are the ones who love America, the real patriots and those who honor our God and our Constitution and are thankful to those who have died for our freedoms.

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blackyb
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:45pm
The dog must be a conservative. He has loyalty.

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eaglescout1998
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:44pm
Let’s try this again….

The article says that the dog was inside the basket.

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- Wolf
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:13pm
  No, it says there was a crate attached to the bike, not that the dog was in it. Of course, there is the supposition it was in the crate, but then the article title is wrong in its implication. So we’ll have to wait for the pictures to verify.
  
  Report this comment
- hillbillyinny
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:28pm
  Sorry @ eaglescout
  
  Report this comment
eaglescout1998
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:42pm
The article says the dog was in the basket.

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- spirited
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 6:14pm
  From the article:
  The dog — described as a small terrier mix similar to “Toto” in “The Wizard of Oz” — had had a crate attached to the bike
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  (6^>Does not say that the dog was inside the “crate” or not.
  
  Report this comment
LameLiberals
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:35pm
Was he forcing his little dog to run alongside his bike?

If so maybe the little dog pulled him off his bike into the road when the dog was exhausted and had to stop. I hate seeing an a-hole on a bike with a poor dog lagging far behind being pulled on a leach with its tongue hanging out and its paws bloodied by the hard road cement.

Hopefully, this little dog was in a basket or carrier of some time. If he was dragging his dog alongside his bike – Karma got him.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:38pm
  They said he was in a crate attached to the back of the bike.
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:39pm
  “The dog — described as a small terrier mix similar to “Toto” in “The Wizard of Oz” — had had a crate attached to the bike, police said. “
  
  Report this comment
- teddyc73
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:44pm
  You have no idea how this man treated his dog. Good lord dude. The last sentence says there was a crate attached to the bike and the dog appeared unharmed. So instead of judging this guy and suggesting that he somehow deserved what he got perhaps you should read fully and think about what you’re reading.
  
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- blackyb
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:46pm
  Silly stuff. Always the victims fault.
  
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- Wolf
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:17pm
  Lame, you’re totally out of the loop. My dogs run ahead of me on the bike and go for as much as twenty mile runs and still aren’t tired of running when I’m tired of pedalling. Nothing unusual about dogs running with bicyclists and gives them some real exercise rather than being chained to a person who can’t walk faster than a crawl and think they’re giving their dog ‘exercise’ after a ten minute walk.
  
  Report this comment
- Rajabear1
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 6:10pm
  Wolf, you’re lucky! My big, lovable mutt is panting as though his very life depends on it after a couple of blocks–walking at a brisk pace, that is. I’m just hoping he’ll let my kids and I bring him up to a slow jog some day without digging his paws in a refusing to move!
  He’s a spoiled, overgrown ‘puppy’ that I love very much, but his behavior reflects on poor ‘parenting’ on my behalf. Figure it’s better to spoil the dog rather than the children, eh?
  Wolf, I am envious of your bike rides with you ‘puppies’–enjoy them.
  I have to say, stories like these, just bring this usually strong woman to tears. Dogs have unconditional love that we all could learn from.
  
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- LameLiberals
  Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:00am
  But was the dog IN the basket at time of the hit and run?
  
  Report this comment
hersey10
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:31pm
Animals are so amazing . Sometimes , I wish people were more like them .

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- Countrygirl1362
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:50pm
  You are so right.
  
  Report this comment
- macpappy
  Posted on May 5, 2012 at 7:49pm
  Men are like dogs, we just choose the less admired attributes of our canine friend to emulate, No?
  
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