Hailed as hero, officials unable to find any relatives
By DANE SCHILLER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 2, 2008, 1:51AM


Three dogs rescued by Houston animal-control officers after a Hurricane Ike relief worker died trying to reach them are back with their owner, but a Florida man hailed as a hero may be buried as a pauper.

Robert "Bob" Emery, who was from Florida and in Texas to help clear storm debris, died late Saturday after dashing onto the East Freeway to reach the dogs who were huddled in the emergency lane against a cement median. He was struck by a passing motorcycle.

Officers brought the dogs to a city kennel where they were held until Wednesday when, thanks to a rabies-vaccine tag, they were reunited with their owner.

Authorities wouldn't release their names or say whether they had heard of Emery.

The 54-year-old repairman lived alone on Big Pine Key, Fla. He had a trailer with a view of the sea and was apparently estranged from family.

"We are trying to locate family to notify them of this person's death," said Beverly Begay, chief investigator with the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.

If no family is found, and no one claims the body, it would be given a pauper's burial, Begay said of a wait that could be days or weeks.

Back in Florida, Sandy Downs, whose husband knew Emery for about five years and told him about the post-storm work here, has been hitting the streets for clues on how to reach his family.

"He lived in Big Pine alone, and didn't have a wife or girlfriend that I know of," Downs said. "I'm having trouble tracking down the rumor he had two older daughters."

Meanwhile, Emery's story has swirled on the Internet and stoked emotion among animal lovers.

Praise for Emery
Cheryl Lang, president of the Houston-based organization, No Paws Left Behind, which works to find solutions for pets from homes being foreclosed, is among those calling Emery a hero.

"He didn't even think twice, just went out and did it," she said of Emery trying to reach the dogs."That says a lot about his character."

Lang said he deserves better than a pauper's burial, and is looking at ways the community can honor his memory, perhaps with a temporary pet shelter.

Houston animal lover April Andres found one positive note after the tragedy.

"I am saddened that Mr. Emery lost his life while being a good Samaritan, but I am so glad that the dogs were reunited with their owner," she said. "I know that is what he would have wanted."

dane.schiller@chron.com