How does Jason get his dog, King, and what happens to the previous owner?

Hawthorn sees a man in the river, bellowing and screaming at his dogs. Hawthorn stands by helpless as the big man drowns his dogs. As the man reaches for his fifth and final dog, Hawthorn steps in and asks to take the dog. The man has clearly lost his mind but allows Hawthorn to take the dog. Shortly after Hawthorn and the dog walk away, the man shoots and kills himself.