Family Dog Shot Multiple Times As He Protected Teenage Boy From Burglars

March 2, 2018

How many people do you know that will step in front of a bullet (not to talk of multiple bullets) for others? This dog did just that and today, he's being hailed as a true hero.

16-year-old Javier Mercado was at home one day when two men started banging on the door. Because he did not know the men, Javier ignored them. However, the teenager realized that he was in danger when the men came around to the back of the house, shattered a glass door and forcefully made their way into the home.

Rex The Hero Dog / Facebook

Javier's German Sheperd, Rex, immediately jumped into action. He leaped from his position beside the boy and raced down to confront the intruders.

This confrontation ended with Rex being shot multiple times while Javier, hiding in his parents' bedroom closet, fervently hoped his beloved pet was okay.

Rex The Hero Dog / Facebook

Fortunately, Rex survived but he was so hurt that a surgery needed to be done to repair his bullet wounds. His family would be eternally grateful for the sacrifice the courageous dog made for them that day.

Rex The Hero Dog / Facebook

Javier's mom, Julia Cadena, told TODAY that she was relieved Rex is alive. As the teen tried to get emergency help, which according to Julia took nearly an hour, the dog was able to hold the criminals off. Javier explained:

I could hear one of the guys screaming, ‘Get the dog, get the dog! The dog bit me, get the dog! I heard a lot of tussling down there with Rex and the guys.

Rex The Hero Dog / Facebook

Javier said that after trying his best to keep the burglars out of the home, Rex ran upstairs and the teenager could sense he was standing right outside the closet door. The dog started barking loudly and when the men came in the room, Rex launched at them. They began shooting the dog who was "crying out after every shot hit him.”

Rex The Hero Dog / Facebook

Police eventually arrived at the scene and the thieves escaped. Javier came out of his hiding place to see blood everywhere.

Rex was shot in the neck and both hind legs. The happy ending to the thrilling story was that surgeons were able to repair his injuries and the brave canine would be just fine.

Source: TODAY