ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A man kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico rescued an injured dog that was swimming offshore after fleeing when his owner was struck and killed by a car.
The bizarre and sad tale unfolded Saturday on Siesta Key, about 40 miles south of St. Petersburg.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 53-year-old Donna Chen was jogging with her dog Barney on a sidewalk when they were struck by a car driven by 22-year-old Blake Talman. Officers said Talman had been drinking.
Barney fled, ran about a mile to the beach and started swimming. A kayaker on vacation found the dog in distress about a half mile offshore. He took Barney to a veterinarian.
Barney is recovering from his injuries. Talman is being held at the Sarasota County Jail without bail.
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