Lost Myakka hiker and dog found in woods

A 50-year-old man and his dog were rescued from thick brush and swampland in Myakka City 5:50 p.m. Sunday night.

Joseph Brandt, from the 4000 block of Fourth Avenue East, walked a few hours in the Edward Chance Reserve at 34300 State Road 64 before becoming lost well off the trails, according to a Manatee County Sheriff's Office report.

Brandt called 911 but couldn't give his exact coordinates.

Numerous patrol deputies, MCSO aviation, search and rescue units and a deputy and bloodhound were dispatched.

Deputies used sirens in the swamp to make contact with Brandt.

The aviation unit finally saw Brandt and his dog but it took several hours to remove them from the swamp due to the thick terrain.

Brandt, though tired and dehydrated, was found healthy.

The report did not list the dog's condition.