http://www.smh.com.au/news/nationa…David Braithwaite
October 10, 2006 - 12:01PM
When three masked men burst into an elderly man's Sydney unit last night they hadn't bargained on Rocky the German shepherd.
Two-year-old Rocky - described as a normally placid, family dog -attacked the intruders.
"The dog's a hero really," said Michael, a 56-year-old relative of the man whose home was broken into.
"He's normally the most gentle dog. He's not a guard dog. He'd lick you and love you to death.
"We were surprised he actually wanted to attack but the dog did attack and saved the owner's life."
But Rocky paid a high price for his heroics. Michael, who did not want to give his last name, said the dog was shot twice in the chest during the violent home invasion in Court Avenue, Kingsford at 10.30pm.
"The dog at the moment is under sedation," he said. "They are not going to operate until Wednesday."
Rocky was taken to the North Shore Veterinary Hospital, where a spokeswoman said he was "critical but stable".
"There's two bullets still lodged in his body - in his upper foreleg and shoulder blade," she said.
Well-wishers had been calling the clinic today to offer financial support for Rocky's operation, she said.
Michael said he was "shocked" the loving family dog had attacked, putting its bravery down to protective instincts for his owner.
"It was a very brave act because he's not a guard dog - he's a pet dog,'' he said.
"It's a loving dog - he's part of our family, Alsatians look vicious but they're not, they're just big sooks.
"It licks you, jumps on you, wants to play with you, but to attack an intruder like that - we're shocked."
Rocky's elderly owner was too shaken to talk about the experience, he added.
The three men, wearing balaclavas, broke into the man's unit over the clubhouse at the Kingsford tennis courts.
Police said the men stole cash and property.
Nearby resident Yianni Zinonos said break-ins were becoming more common in the area.
"I've been living here 10 years, and have actually been robbed twice this year, in the last six months," he said.
"I was in the house both times - crime in the area's really on the rise, there's been an enormous amount of break-and-enters."
Anyone with information can call Waverley police on 9369 9899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
