Kayaker Finds DUI Victim's Dog

Amid a tragic event Saturday afternoon , there is a bittersweet story of loss and rescue about her dog, Barney, that happened to be captured on video.

Kayaker Rory O'Connor went fishing Saturday in his kayak and shot video of himself using a small camera mounted to the front of his tiny vessel out on Sarasota Bay.

While fishing, viewers see a dog swim up to him on the right side of the frame. It turns out, that it was Chen's dog, Barney, which was with the 53-year-old Siesta Key woman when she was struck and killed by a hit and run driver.

The pair was out jogging together. The dog clearly was traumatized and in crisis. The kayaker notes the animal had wounds and was bleeding, when he lifted him aboard his craft. The kayaker had no idea about the hit-and-run crash that had just occurred.

O'Connor talked to Tampa's ABC Action News via video chat about the moment:

"I thought he somehow jumped off a boat or something, but when I looked at him, I could tell immediately that he was really in distress."

Comments poured out to O'Connor for his YouTube video and for being a hero:

"This proves that animals can sense good people, he obviously had a sense to go to that particular guy who happens to be a dog lover and saves his life. If all people were like him the world would be a better place."

— flowman420 

"You are the true definition of Hero/Rescuer. We first react in a crisis, do the best we can and figure the rest out when we are driving back with the injured dog in our car. Don't listen to anyone who says anything negative. They obviously have never saved a life before. This rescue was very touching. Amazing. How lucky we are you had your camera rolling that day. Bless you. Beautiful heroic life saving story. Thank you for sharing"

— thedogrescuers 

"Sir you have proven that there is still goodness and kindness still in this world and I wholeheartedly give you Kudos for what you did. This will be remembered by everyone that sees this video for a long time. I hope you catch the big one because you have caught everyone's heart with your amazing kindness!"

— RobTheHillbilly