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

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.

(Related: Touching Video of Black Lab Braving Traffic to Sit Beside Pal Fatally Struck by Car)

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.