UPDATE: Crowdfunding campaign launched for heroic Northdene pitbull’s vet bills

FOLLOWING the story about a heroic Pitbull, Hunter, who was shot while trying to defend his owner, who was also shot during what has been described as a “botched house robbery” last night (Tuesday 28 January), a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to pay for the canine’s vet bills.

ALSO READ: Northdene resident, dog critically wounded in botched house robbery

While no updates have come to light yet on the investigation into the incident, in which armed suspects shot and critically injured both an elderly Northdene resident and his dog, Blue Security community and media liaison officer Andreas Mathios confirmed that allegedly four armed suspects, wearing balaclavas, gained entry into a couple’s home at around 10.30pm.

Home invaded

“The resident’s wife was in the lounge which is open plan to the kitchen when she heard a noise and saw suspects in the kitchen. Shots were fired. She immediately ran to the bedroom where she pressed a panic button. She eventually came out of the bedroom and went to the kitchen where she found her husband lying on the floor,” said Mathios who also filmed the video clip which was shared by the Highway Mail in its original story.

ALSO READ: Gillitts man attacked with panga in home robbery

“It is alleged that the armed suspects gained entry into the kitchen through a door that had been left open and confronted the woman’s husband who was busy talking on his phone in the kitchen. The suspects allegedly fired two shots, one of them critically injuring the resident, and the other critically wounding his Pitbull Terrier named Hunter when the dog intervened during the confrontation,” he said.

“Rescue Care Paramedics attended the scene of the crime where they stabilised the patient before transporting him to hospital.”

Mathios who is also affiliated to Pet Rescue Pinetown, said he, together with the help of Metro Police K9 members, transported the injured dog to the Westville Veterinary Hospital for emergency medical attention.

Crowdfunding

On Wednesday, an update on Hunter was provided by Pet Rescue Pinetown for all the people who asked about his well-being following the story.

They also shared information with the banking details of the veterinary hospital and appealed for help to fund the veterinary care Hunter will need to repair the damage done by the bullet he took while protecting his owner.

https://www.facebook.com/petrescuepinetownkzn/posts/2718527244906180?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARD54dUCwEWwtUIMmGbHmxUOBPRIbTEpX9vywF-Z_1N9EwgCo9Tt7iS_tfpmgl1W7asFH96oBCfv5z1m30kQ6tihsbAET1U6lt1rwpLTRWIrr8BVGboXvJyFV7pMM-VOJ9JADWq_SV6Q9PTgTwNH_BBrbS7CI54VfeABebe5UMRl9zbuxwgYTBiUuaEC9E-wvnZ0WEaq3Ccq3SRDy6pAVIfFotzuvOyEW3onmHUcRBJXatnpHIo1HEEWXz-EaIkvinD-gY5kTXXlLfw1VhPeWVwTWRlareIXuw6niHRf6msjYNjmnNtj7mqc9oFBP73ctRfBd3xgo5ZB9rWU0NCAmcRzXQ&__tn__=-R

Updates

Nikki Mathios of Pet Rescue Pinetown said in an update on the organisation’s facebook page earlier on Wednesday that Hunter was still in a critical condition.

“Just spoke to the vet. Hunter’s breathing has improved and he is more alert. It is as if he is oblivious that he was shot.” 

She said despite the positive reports Hunter was not yet out of the woods and appealed for the community to not phone the vet asking for updates.

ALSO READ: UKZN denounces the criminal behaviour by protesting students

“The vet has asked the community not to inundate the vet phone lines with requests for updates.  A family member has been appointed as liaison person and the vet kindly asked that all queries re Hunters health be directed to him especially as the family has a lot to deal with.”