Sometimes man's best friend can also be his greatest protector.
A Tampa, Florida man and his girlfriend found that out the hard way when their dog Legend came to their rescue during a violent home invasion in February.
According to reports by BayNews9.com and Patch.com, the incident started around 11:14 PM on Tuesday night, February 17 when Damien Strickland was outside of his home and saw five men walking towards him.
When he tried to retreat into his house, the perpetrators pistol-whipped Strickland and dragged him inside where his girlfriend, Mersadie Wells-Shahan, and her mother, Brenda Cronk, were with Strickland's bullmastiff mix named Legend.
As the men tried to tie up Wells-Shahan and restrain Strickland, Legend went on the offensive. The dog attacked the intruders with a fierce vengeance that left at least one of the men with a dog bite to his left hand.
Unfortunately for Legend, the men fought back, shooting the dog twice before fleeing the home when Wells-Shahan and her mother screamed out.
Tampa police eventually arrested one suspect, 23-year-old Michael Jovahnny Rivera, who, according to Patch.com, faces charges of "aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed home invasion, and felony animal cruelty." Officers are still searching for the other four suspects.
Legend, however, is being haled as a hero whose actions in the face of danger saved the lives of Strickland, Wells-Shahan, and Cronk.
"That dog saved my life," Well-Shahan told BayNews9.com.
The Hero Dog was taken to a local veterinary hospital where he was treated for two bullet wounds, including one in the side of his head. Legend was released within 48 hours and is well on the way to a full recovery.
That is one amazing dog who helped save his owners from a situation that could have had much more dire consequences. Legend truly earned his fantastic name that night.
Be sure to check out the photos of Legend below, and please SHARE this story with all your friends and family!! Legend is a true hero dog!
Legend the Hero Dog at the animal hospital where he received treatment for two bullet wounds.
A closer look at one of Legend's wounds, which took three surgical staples to close.
