Dog hailed a hero after he takes three bullets to protect 16yo boy
A two-year-old dog is being hailed a hero after he was shot three times during a home invasion.
The German Shepherd, known as Rex, was protecting his 16-year-old owner when he was shot at a Des Moines home in Iowa in the US.
Police say the 16-year-old was at home when he heard noises outside. Moments later Rex began to bark and the boy heard glass break, US website Kiro7 reports.
The intruders entered the home by smashing the sliding glass door.
While the boy hid in a wardrobe and called the police, Rex ran downstairs to confront the strangers. That's when the boy heard gunshots. Rex was no longer barking.
When police officers arrived at the home, they saw Rex lying motionless on the floor. Still alive, an animal control officer took him to the vets.
A Go Fund Me page for the family says it was the sirens that scared the intruders away.
"My nephew was protected by his eternal friend until the last bit of strength he had in him to do what his unconditional, loving instinct told him to," the page says.
"Rex’s life depends on a surgery he will need to survive."
The family hope to raise $10,000 to cover the dog's medical bills.
"Our family can not let Rex the hero dog go without us fighting as hard as he did, to his very last bit of a strength while protecting my nephew," the page says.
