A courageous canine from a north-east town has been hailed a hero after defending his owner from her abusive partner.
Maxy repeatedly “stepped in to the firing line” to protect Anna from her partner’s violence and the Border Collie used his inherent sheep-herding instincts to round up the woman’s children and lead them to safety upstairs.
Now, the nine-year-old dog has been rewarded for his bravery, with Maxy acclaimed as a Pet Hut Hero by budget chain Poundstretcher.
Anna will be given a £50 voucher to spend on treats for her loyal friend and she was clearly grateful for his support throughout her and her young family’s ordeal.
She said: “Maxy made sure myself and my kids were safe. If he saw my ex raise his hand, he would put himself between us.
“He looked after us the way the man of the house would do and protected his family. He would lay down between the kids’ bedrooms in prime position, so he could see every entrance and exit to the house to make sure we were safe and accounted for.”
Finding herself increasingly cut off from loved ones by her partner, Anna described Maxy as her “rock”.
She added that her partner began threatening the pet and she became “worried Maxy wouldn’t survive another good hiding”.
But eventually, she put her two children and the collie in her sister’s care for two years.
She added: “After that, I did it all alone, things became out of control and it was the worst two years of my life.”
Finally, though, the mother of two has escaped her abuser and is back living with Maxy and her children.
Studies suggest that violent partners are more likely to also harm family pets while the scarcity of properties allowing pets can prevent people getting out of abusive situations sooner.
The Pet Hut prizes are handed out monthly by the firm and celebrate heroism of animals of all shapes and sizes.
Last night, the firm’s general manager Wendy Flint said: “We think this is a fantastic monthly competition to recognise the amazing and brave actions of our Pet Hut furry friends and reward them with a luxury hamper full of goodies.”