California man drowns trying to save dog

POINT REYES, Calif. -- A man was swept out to sea by a large wave and drowned while trying to save his dog on a Northern California beach. Wednesday, authorities were warning beachgoers to be careful.

The Marin Independent Journal reported that Charles Quaid, 59, of Richmond, and his wife were walking on the beach near Point Reyes on New Year's Day when the wave overtook the dog. That's about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the couple went into the water to rescue the dog, but the man was swept away. The wife and dog made it safely to shore.

The incident comes more than a month after three people drowned in roiling surf while trying to save their dog at another Northern California beach. -- AP