Heroic German shepherd risks his life to save family during a home robbery
Few humans will take a bullet for another human, but one dog did just that. Rex, a German shepherd who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family put his life on the line to save his 16-year old owner, Javier. And while he did get shot, Rex is being hailed as a hero for his actions.
The house is broken into by thieves
Javier and Rex were at home alone one afternoon when the pair heard thieves breaking into the home. A frightened Javier ran upstairs to hide in his bedroom closet with a phone in hand so he could call the police. Rex waited for the thieves to enter the home, ready to defend his territory and his owner.
Rex fights to drive the intruders away
As the intruders entered the home, Rex was there to greet them. The thieves attacked Rex and soon he found himself having to retreat. Fortunately, for Javier, Rex was not gone for long, reentering the fray as the robbers moved upstairs.
“Rex stormed back to the upstairs floor all beat up and bloody from the beating to check on his master who was still hiding in the closet,” Susy Cadena, Javier’s aunt, wrote. “Soon, the burglars proceeded to the upstairs floor and trashed all the bedrooms.
“As they entered the room where my nephew was hiding in the closet, Rex came out with the little strength he had left in him and threw himself at them as he knew my nephew was in danger.”
Rex is wounded in the fight
As the dog fought to drive the intruders away, he was shot. Three bullets ended up hitting Rex, but he had driven the thieves away. As Rex lay there bleeding, Javier emerged from the closet. Now, Rex’s real battle began as he fought to survive his wounds.
Rex is rushed to the animal clinic
Rex was rushed to BluePearl Veterinary Clinic by the authorities where the vets worked to stabilize him. He required expensive surgery that unfortunately, his family could not afford to pay for. Fortunately, people in the community and online heard of his plight and chipped in.
Donations pour in to help Rex
Javier’s aunt started a GoFundMe which ended up raising over $60,000, more than enough to pay for Rex’s medical bills, which totaled around $10,000. Rex finally underwent the surgery which saved his life. It was the least everyone could do following his acts of bravery.
Rex returns home to recover
Soon, Rex was back home with his family and recovering from his injuries. Grateful, his family was just glad to have him back home again with them, stating:
“Thanks to God, Rex is doing much better,” Rex’s family told The Dodo. “It’s going to take a lot of therapy, time and lots of love from all of us for him to go back to be the sweet dog he used to be. But don’t doubt for a minute that we will do everything in our power to help him get there soon.”
For more about Rex, check out his Facebook page. In the video below, Rex visits with his family while recovering from his wounds.
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