Anubis the Rhodesian Ridgeback Survived a Gunshot While Guarding His Florida Home
Anubis was home alone when someone broke into the Florida house he guards. By the time his owner, Chris Watson, got back from work, the five-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback had been shot in the head and was hiding inside, but he was still able to make his way back to his person.
Watson arrived home at about 11 a.m. and discovered the house had been burglarized. He called for Anubis, but the dog did not come. When police arrived, they found him in a bedroom.
What happened next is the part dog lovers will hold onto. Anubis was still able to walk over to Watson and rest his head in his owner’s lap. That was when they realized he was bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head.
A frightening injury, and a hopeful update
Anubis was taken straight to an animal hospital, where doctors found the bullet lodged in his neck. According to the medical findings described in the case, the bullet went through his skin and grazed his skull.
Just as crucially, it did not strike any major arteries or blood vessels. That close call helps explain how Anubis made it through an attack that could easily have ended differently.
The dog was hurt during the burglary while defending the home, but his story did not end there. In the clip below, his case is recounted as one of survival as much as courage. His owners say that even with the bullet wound, Anubis has remained in high spirits.
For anyone who has ever watched a dog stand guard at the door or follow a familiar voice across a room, Anubis’s response feels unmistakable. He was injured, he was hiding, and he still found his way back to his owner.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks and guarding behavior
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are large, athletic dogs known for the strip of hair along the spine that grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. They were developed for stamina, independence and confidence, so many have a strong instinct to notice unfamiliar people, sounds and movement around the home.
That does not automatically make them ideal guard dogs. A Ridgeback often does best with calm, consistent training that rewards alert behavior without encouraging fear or uncontrolled aggression. Useful basics include a reliable recall, a solid stay, comfort with handling, and a cue to go to a bed or crate when visitors arrive. Because the breed can be powerful and fast, secure fencing, leash skills and early socialization are especially important.
What to do if a dog has a penetrating injury
Any gunshot wound or deep puncture is an emergency, even if the dog is standing, walking or acting surprisingly normal. Internal bleeding, shock and organ damage are not always obvious from the outside. A wound may also have more damage under the skin than it appears to have on the surface.
Call an emergency veterinary clinic while you are getting ready to leave. Keep the dog as still and quiet as possible. If there is active bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage unless something is embedded in the wound. Do not remove an object that is stuck in place. If the dog is panicking or painful, use caution around the mouth. Even gentle dogs may bite when injured. Transport on a flat surface, towel or blanket if possible, and keep the dog warm.
Practical home safety for protective dogs
Dogs that bark at unusual activity can be helpful, but management matters more than bravado. Good lighting, secure doors and gates, updated identification tags and a microchip all improve safety if a dog gets loose during a stressful event. Keep a pet first aid kit at home and in the car, with gauze, nonstick pads, a blanket and your regular veterinary contacts.
If your dog is naturally watchful, teach a simple routine: bark once or twice, come to you, then settle. That gives the dog a job without escalating tension. Avoid leaving a territorial dog unsupervised in a front yard or behind a barrier where passersby can trigger repeated reactions. Controlled training usually builds safer habits than trying to make a dog more intimidating.
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