Devoted pit bull dies protecting family from intruder

DETROIT, Mich. (WCMH) — A Michigan man is crediting his dog for saving his family, after a gunman barricaded himself inside their home. 

“He wasn’t a big pitbull he was a runt. He was only 40 pounds,” homeowner Kyle Brown told WXYZ.  

He may have been small, but in big moments he was just what this family needed. 

“We were able at least to survive,” said Brown.

That moment came Friday afternoon when a gunman running from a botched carjacking jumped Brown’s fence. 

“As soon as I made eye to eye contact with him I could tell by the look in his eyes and by his intent, he was not at all mentally– he knew what he was doing and it was an opportunity,” said Brown.

Petey the 2-year-old pitbull felt the danger too and tried to attack the suspect. 

“When the pitbull came out and encountered him he immediately pulled his gun out and shot him,” Brown told WXYZ. 

Petey was shot in the face but still chased the suspect into the next yard

Police who had been searching for the suspect saw him jump that fence and bullets began flying

“The only thing I heard was boom boom boom boom, there were several gun shots,” said Brown.

Brown was holding Petey inside the home when he saw the suspect come back over the fence. 

Brown’s 10-year-old son and his friend were at home.

Although still traumatized from what they went through, everyone is physically OK. 

Everyone except for Petey. 

“Petey didn’t make it but son you can’t be upset with him. He not only saved my life but he saved our lives,” said Brown. 

But he will be remembered as the runt who risked his life for his family.

Police have not released the suspect’s name or the charges he is facing.