Hero Dog Dies Protecting His Family From Shooter

UGH. I hate this so much.

Just another story proving that dogs are God’s gift to us.

What did we EVER do to deserve them?

A lab named ‘Zero’ is being called a hero as he gave his life to save his family’s last Sunday night.

The story is heartbreaking.

According to Fox News:

The labrador, named Zero, jumped to action when a gunman opened fire during a birthday party at the home of Laura Martinez last Sunday night. Martinez and her two children were shot as Zero attacked the shooter. The dog was hit by a bullet during the altercation and later died.

The family has no doubt that Zero saved their lives.

“I honestly believe if Zero had not kept jumping on him, he would’ve been able to get shots higher than our legs,” Martinez said, according to Click 2 Houston.

Horrific. Absolutely horrific.

The suspect has been identified… but is still on the loose.

The suspected shooter has now been identified as Javian Castenada, a friend of the family who they believe was involved in a robbery of their home. Police believe he is in hiding and is considered armed and dangerous.

The Martinez family said after the burglary, they confronted Castaneda’s parents with their suspicions that he was responsible. A few days later, Canstaneda allegedly arrived at the party and began arguing with the Martinez family, which escalated into gunfire.

“I’m staring at the whole scene around and it almost feels like a dream,” Martinez’s daughter Valori Pace said. “I went to go turn to run and I just feel instant pressure in my lower back. Put my hand back there and I realize there was blood all over my hands,” she said.

I can’t imagine. No one ever expects something like this to happen to them. An absolute living nightmare.

And while the family is recovering… they will never fully heal from the loss of their “hero.”

The family is recovering from their gunshot wounds, but mourning the death of their beloved dog, who they’ve dubbed “Zero the Hero.”

RIP, good boy.