Rex, a German Shepherd, deserved to be called a hero.
When armed robbers stormed into the home, the canine was with his 16-year-old owner, Javier Mercado.
The boy’s older brother had gone to the gym, and his parents were both at work, so there was hardly anywhere for him to wait for assistance.
When Javier got to hear the crooks busting down the door, he ran upstairs and hid in a wardrobe closet.
The teen contacted 911 to report the robbery and afterward texted his parents, requesting that they return home as quickly as possible.
The burglars stole all of the house’s equipment, as well as a large amount of clothing and shoes. Rex did everything he could to stop the robbers.
With a loud bark, he charged at strangers, defending his land and his owner.
When the dog bit one of the men, he severely beat him.
Rex’s protective instinct compelled him to walk upstairs and check on his owner’s well-being.
Regrettably, the robber followed him.
When the intruder approached the closet where Javier was hiding, the fatigued dog summoned all his might and charged at the intruder.
The shot was fired at that precise instant.
The dog was shot four times in the neck, front, and hind legs.
The shepherd was in pain. He was able to draw the robber’s focus away from himself, and he quickly moved downstairs before approaching the closet.
Soon after, Javier heard the sirens of a police car coming.
The crooks managed to flee, but Rex has been rescued in time thanks to the arrival of the police, and he lived.
The family was unable to afford the costly therapy, but thanks to social media users who discovered the dog’s antics, they were able to raise more than $60,000 for them.
Javier’s family was able to pay not only for surgical care but also for the services of a pet psychologist, who assisted the dog in coping with post-traumatic stress.
It took a year of rehabilitation for the dog to be able to approach people and animals without fear.
PETA, a pet rights organization, recognized Rex’s bravery.
The dog was honored for “going above and above – at tremendous personal risk – to protect his family from burglars.”
