Dog missing after boating accident found alive with life jacket

A one-year-old Golden Retriever has defied all odds after being separated from his family in a boating accident.

Rocky and his owner Jeff Wiestman were on a boating trip on the Ashley River in South Carolina when they were both thrown into the water after colliding with an abandoned concrete dock.

While Wiestman was battling the flood, he surfaced to find that Rocky was missing. Although he had broken ribs in the fall, he began a desperate search for the dog along the riverbank and in the nearby swamps.

This was when the Charleston Animal Society intervened.

“We don’t normally post lost pets on our social media, but this was a bad situation,” said Kay Hyman, director of community engagement at the Charleston Animal Society. Newsweek“Rocky’s story touched us and within hours our post went viral, reaching thousands in our community and beyond.”

The desperate search lasted nearly 36 hours before it was finally successful. On June 25th at 9 a.m., the family received a call from a couple from West Ashley. They had seen Rocky on the dock, still in his red life jacket, and immediately called the family to inform them.

Rocky had managed to swim across the Ashley River and reach safety before wandering through the swamp and eventually finding himself in the backyard.

“It feels like a miracle,” Kim Wiestman said in a Facebook post. “Our Rocky is truly home. The vet explained everything to him well, he just has a swollen ankle and is extremely exhausted.”

The entire community was moved to learn of Rocky’s rescue, with Kim adding, “We can’t thank everyone enough for their support and efforts in finding him.”

Rocky’s adventure got other pet owners thinking about boating safety.

“Several people immediately went online and purchased dog vests for their boating dogs,” Hyman said. “We always stress the safety of boats surrounded by rivers and beaches, but Rocky’s agonizing escape from death was prevented by his life jacket and his dog’s common sense.”

For the Charleston Animal Society, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, Rocky’s story exemplifies its commitment to helping dogs in need. “We are proud to have helped reunite Rocky with his family,” Hyman said. “This heartwarming outcome underscores the impact of our community’s support and compassion.”

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