TOWN OF WATSON, New York (WWNY) – When the body of 39-year-old Cody Johnson was found off a trail in the town of Watson Wednesday, he wasn’t alone.
Johnson’s pit bull, Afton, who acted as his service animal was right there next to him, and initially refused to leave his deceased owner’s side.
Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli says the 4-day search came to a close when a volunteer found Johnson near a camping spot they were familiar with.
He is believed to have died as a result of the cold.
“I think it’s in a way a little comforting knowing he wasn’t alone out there – the dog that’d been with him for quite a while. His companion and the loyalty he had with Cody, he stayed with him all those days and those evenings,” said Carpinelli.
Carpinelli says Afton initially refused to let searchers get close to Johnson but he relaxed after being given biscuits and water.
The dog is now being taken care of by a family friend and will soon be turned over to family members coming from North Carolina.
