Family Dog Literally Puts Her - Hmm - Paw Down on Crime

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If you love your pet like a family member, you’re likely to get a reward.

That’s how Sarah Powers of Wyandotte views what happened Tuesday morning when Sadie, her family’s normally calm 11-year-old Golden Retriever, single- … hmm, paw-edly? … stopped a home invasion.

Powers told WXYZ-TV she came out of the bathroom of her home in the 1000 block of Poplar Court about 8:30 a.m. to see Sadie taking everything the intruder had to give without cowering in fear. And he was allegedly giving her plenty to growl about.

“When I came out of the bathroom there was a man standing there and he is physically punching my dog but she would not back down at all,” said Powers, who was home alone at the time.

The intruder, a man later identified as 58-year-old John David Shook, took off and fled on a bicycle, but was later identified in a photo lineup.

» See Also: Neighborhood 1, Alleged Thief 0 in Foiled Burglary

Powers said she had never seen Sadie, who doesn’t have a history of aggression, in full defense mode before.

“She was lunging out,” Powers said. “Her teeth were showing, she was growling, then she was barking but her front legs were always on him.”

Powers said the loyalty was built from a lifetime of affection of love.

“Don’t treat her just a dog,” she said. “Treat ther just like you would treat your child. This is what happens when you do. A dog that never hurt anyone, never snapped at anoyone knew there was a danger, and she took care of it.”

Police are still looking for Shook, who Wyandotte Police Chief Daniel Grant says has a history of heroin use and was just released from the county jail two weeks ago.

Shook is “hitting Wyandotte like crazy,” Wyandotte Police Detective Richard Weise told The News-Herald.

He is wanted on several warrants in Wyandotte and surrounding communities, and anyone who has seen him is asked to call detectives at (734) 281-4214 or (734) 281-4216. Police say Shook is homeless, usually travels the Downriver area on a bicycle, and is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 185 pounds.

Police also say dogs, big ones like Sadie and smaller ones as well, can deter would-be criminals.

“I’m glad she was here,” Powers said. “She literally saved the day, so we’re pretty proud of her.”

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Screenshot via WXYZ-TV