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Brave Dog Gets Shot While Protecting His 16-Year-Old Owner From Armed Intruders
Brave Dog Gets Shot While Protecting His 16-Year-Old Owner From Armed Intruders
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Brave Dog Gets Shot While Protecting His 16-Year-Old Owner From Armed Intruders

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Dog is a man‘s best friend, and a 2-year-old German shepherd Rex just proved this saying right.

When on February 21st armed intruders invaded 16-year-old Javier Mercado‘s house, he was home alone with Rex. It all happened just after noon in Des Moines, USA – Javier heard a noise and looked through a window where he saw a car he didn’t recognize. “I then heard the sliding door break, and it is made out of just glass so it shattered really loud,” said Mercado. “My dog ran downstairs, and it just started barking and barking. I heard one guy scream, ‘the dog bit me, get the dog.'”

As soon as this happened, Javier dialed 911 and went into the closet. “Rex stormed back to the upstairs floor all beat up and bloody,” writes Javier’s aunt on GoFund. “Soon, the burglars proceeded to the upstairs floor and trashed all the bedrooms. As they entered the room where Javier 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.” Sadly, they shot the dog four times and he gave up his battle.

By the time police arrived, intruders were already gone. After spending nearly an hour in the closet, Javier felt it’s finally safe to come out. He then received a call telling him that his dog Rex is still alive. However, he was dangerously injured, with gunshot wounds in his neck and legs that required surgery.

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The joy that the dog survived, however, was followed by the worry that they don’t have the money to pay for Rex’s medical bills. It didn’t take long for family, friends, and the community to open a fundraiser for Rex, who is now called The Hero Dog. On Friday, Rex successfully overcame his first surgery. Let’s hope this hero dog will get better as soon as possible!

More info: Facebook

RELATED:

    This is Javier Mercado and his faithful German shepherd Rex, who saved his owner’s life

    When last Wednesday armed intruders invaded Javier’s house, he was home alone with Rex

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    “I heard the sliding door break,” said Mercado. “My dog ran downstairs, and started barking and barking. I heard one guy scream, ‘the dog bit me, get the dog'”

    As soon as this happened, Javier dialed 911 and went into the closet

    Rex ran back upstairs all beat up and bloody. Soon, the burglars proceeded to the upstairs floor, too

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    As they entered the room where Javier was hiding in the closet, Rex came out with the little strength he had left in him and threw himself at them

    Sadly, they shot the dog four times and he gave up his battle

    By the time police arrived, intruders were already gone

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    After spending nearly an hour in the closet, Javier felt it’s finally safe to come out. He then received a call telling him that his dog Rex is still alive

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    Javier believes that if it wasn’t for this dog, he wouldn’t be able to tell this story today

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    Read more »

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    Read less »
    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    What do you think ?
    Shruti Naik
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is heartbreaking! I'm glad he's alive and recovering now! He deserves all the treats and cuddles in the world for his bravery! Good Boy Rex!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    BREAK YOUr perceptions
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    find those robbers and string them up by their fingers so they can never fire a gun again. idk what else to say but GOD BLESS DOGS!

    Tiffany Zhu
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my friend has a pit bull and they are one of the nicest dogs if they are taken care of properly. It's the owner, not the dog, and if you have a pit bull that mangles kids, something must be f*****g wrong with you.

    Load More Replies...
    Kawaii Panda
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I usually tell people I’m more of a cat person. But seeing dogs acting like such heroes makes me want to cry. Dogs are like soldiers. Even if you weren’t blind, that dog would still lead the way through darkness and tough times

    img
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why you make me cry Rex? 💗 .... Who's the world's best good boy?

    Charlotte Brine
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can I just say... an hour response time from the police for an armed home invasion endangering a minor?! Wtf?

    Nedra Kastor
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do I think..... Well first of all, I am so grateful that Rex survived, he is a very brave dog. I am grateful that Javier did not lose his best friend in such a senseless act. But I am not grateful to the police; according to the article, which by the way, was very poorly written, Javier called 911 in plenty of time for them to get to the house and catch the pieces of s**t. They dropped the ball and let thieves get away. I bet if it were their house being broken into, they would have been there in a heartbeat......

    AmberWolf
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This poor brave bby. His owner is so lucky to have a dog like him. ε(┬┬﹏┬┬)3 glad he made it!

    Sky
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So glad the puppo and the boy was okay, German Shepard’s are the most kind and loyal dogs but if you screw with their humans, you’re in for a bad time, example. I was watching three police dogs while my cop sister was out of town and they had bonded to me quite a bit (felt safe as heck sleeping next to them at night) but one night two of my sketchy teenage neighbors began to break into my house through my back door while me and the dogs were sitting in the living room reading, those three dogs were on them so fast, they were unarmed so I wasn’t worried for the dog’s safety. These three wonderful dogs basically backed these idiot delinquent teenagers into a corner while authorities arrived. Thankfully that entire family no longer lives next to me (I think the parents were arrested for previous unrelated reasons) I still see those wonderful dogs often.

    Jason H.
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Damn that's an awesome story! Those idiots chose the wrong night to break into your place lol. Besides, who breaks into their neighbors house?? Pieces of s**t

    Load More Replies...
    A Dog Person
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rex is a hero and a very very good boy!

    Load More Comments
    Shruti Naik
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is heartbreaking! I'm glad he's alive and recovering now! He deserves all the treats and cuddles in the world for his bravery! Good Boy Rex!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    BREAK YOUr perceptions
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    find those robbers and string them up by their fingers so they can never fire a gun again. idk what else to say but GOD BLESS DOGS!

    Tiffany Zhu
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my friend has a pit bull and they are one of the nicest dogs if they are taken care of properly. It's the owner, not the dog, and if you have a pit bull that mangles kids, something must be f*****g wrong with you.

    Load More Replies...
    Kawaii Panda
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I usually tell people I’m more of a cat person. But seeing dogs acting like such heroes makes me want to cry. Dogs are like soldiers. Even if you weren’t blind, that dog would still lead the way through darkness and tough times

    img
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why you make me cry Rex? 💗 .... Who's the world's best good boy?

    Charlotte Brine
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can I just say... an hour response time from the police for an armed home invasion endangering a minor?! Wtf?

    Nedra Kastor
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do I think..... Well first of all, I am so grateful that Rex survived, he is a very brave dog. I am grateful that Javier did not lose his best friend in such a senseless act. But I am not grateful to the police; according to the article, which by the way, was very poorly written, Javier called 911 in plenty of time for them to get to the house and catch the pieces of s**t. They dropped the ball and let thieves get away. I bet if it were their house being broken into, they would have been there in a heartbeat......

    AmberWolf
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This poor brave bby. His owner is so lucky to have a dog like him. ε(┬┬﹏┬┬)3 glad he made it!

    Sky
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So glad the puppo and the boy was okay, German Shepard’s are the most kind and loyal dogs but if you screw with their humans, you’re in for a bad time, example. I was watching three police dogs while my cop sister was out of town and they had bonded to me quite a bit (felt safe as heck sleeping next to them at night) but one night two of my sketchy teenage neighbors began to break into my house through my back door while me and the dogs were sitting in the living room reading, those three dogs were on them so fast, they were unarmed so I wasn’t worried for the dog’s safety. These three wonderful dogs basically backed these idiot delinquent teenagers into a corner while authorities arrived. Thankfully that entire family no longer lives next to me (I think the parents were arrested for previous unrelated reasons) I still see those wonderful dogs often.

    Jason H.
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Damn that's an awesome story! Those idiots chose the wrong night to break into your place lol. Besides, who breaks into their neighbors house?? Pieces of s**t

    Load More Replies...
    A Dog Person
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rex is a hero and a very very good boy!

    Load More Comments
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