A pit bull named “Blue,” is being hailed a hero after taking a bullet to protect his owner from a dangerous armed intruder. According to a press release from Penn Vet, the frightening incident took place one morning in February at the home of Nina Teller and Leroy Buchanan.
According to the release, Buchanan was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when the invasion took place – Buchanan stated, “I told Blue to get after the guy. He locked onto the guy’s leg and that’s when he fired his gun.” The men who broke into the house and fired the gun fled the scene, but Blue had been hit and he was seriously injured.
Teller stated, “It was pretty scary and I was shaken up. But I was worried about Blue. He was bleeding a lot. We were scared for him.” When the police arrived, Teller stayed to give her statement while Blue and Buchanan were rushed to Penn Vet in a patrol vehicle.
Blue initially appeared to be stable when he arrived, but shortly thereafter, his condition deteriorated. Penn Vet described the frightening situation for the injured canine hero:
His condition rapidly declined, so we started tapping his right side. Suddenly he decompensated from a respiratory standpoint and turned very gray. We weren’t getting negative pressure, and the air just kept coming through his chest.
Blue did not improve, so clinicians intubated him and continued tapping his chest. Though Blue’s wounds were on his left side, there was a continuous leak to his right side through the mediastinum, which connects both sides of the chest.
In order to remove air from his chest and allow the lungs to expand more normally, a chest tube was placed and Blue was connected to continuous.
Blue had to undergo emergency surgery and a portion of his lung was removed – thankfully, with close monitoring after surgery while in the intensive care unit, Blue made a remarkable recovery. Just four days after being shot and undergoing major surgery, Blue was able to go home with his relieved owners.
Thanks to Ryan Hospital’s Charitable Pet Care Fund, Blue’s owners were able to receive financial assistance for the considerable veterinary bills resulting from their injured pet’s life-saving care. Sally Powell, Director of Operations for Ryan Hospital, stated:
These funds allow pet owners who have taken good care of their pets, and have fallen on hard times, the opportunity to get some financial help. This is a wonderful program for responsible pet owners as well as a huge morale booster for the staff.”
Powell noted how this fund was particularly meaningful in Blue’s situation:
Blue was shot trying to protect his family during a home invasion. Our Charitable Care program allowed this ‘hero dog’ to return to a family that loves him dearly and is forever grateful for his protection.
Read more here.
Images via Penn Vet
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wow, what an amazing animal to protect. So sorry and sad he was shot. Thank gosh for the generous individuals who helped pay for his care.
Sad
[…] Dog shot while protecting owner from armed intruder – Blue did not improve, so clinicians intubated him and continued tapping … Our Charitable Care program allowed this ‘hero dog’ to return to a family … […]
[…] Faithful dog shot while protecting owners from violent intruder – read his story here. […]
Dogs are very protective of the humans they love! It’s no surprise that Blue went after the crooks! This is the bad part though because if they have a gun, knife, or other weapon the dog will be one the injured! Good for you Blue!
What a hero! I’m so glad Blue has survived this and I wish there were more funds like Ryan Hospital’s Charitable Pet Care Fund. Not every one can afford emergency surgery like this. It doesn’t say if they found the monsters that broke into their house. I do hope they did.
Thankful Blue is doing well. Thank you for all who helped and contributed to his care.
Oh on rest in peace Buddy
Do you not read beyond the headlines? Blue is ALIVE AND WELL!!!!
Blue is a HERO and all those idiots who believe the bad rap pit bulls get need a HUGE wake up call – they are what HUMANS make them – Blue came through for his owner and was seriously injured protecting them – THANK GOD he survived and is home – Blue deserves a giant steak for his heroism.
[…] Faithful dog takes a bullet to protect his family – read this hero’s story here. […]
Thank you blue for being hero..sorry you was hurt in the process of savi g your family..thank God blue your alive..god bless..
Excellent article. Good KARMA lifted for this sweet boy.