Lake St. Clair drowning victim found after boater sees dogs unattended near boat

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - The body of a Harrison Township man was found early Tuesday in Lake St. Clair.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, a boater noticed two dogs in the water near an empty fishing boat around 7:50 p.m. Monday. The boater brought the dogs aboard and called for help.

Sheriff's deputies and the Coast Guard started searching for the registered owner of the boat, 49-year-old James Hauff. Authorities contacted his family, who said he had been on the boat with the dogs.

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Hauff's body was found around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in about 8 feet of water near the mouth of the Black Creek. Foul play is not suspected. 

It is unknown how Hauff entered the water, however there was a small craft advisory in effect for Lake St. Clair. He was not wearing a life jacket.