'Superdog' takes bullet to head, saves owner's life

A NEW York dog took a bullet to the head to save his owner - and lived to bark about it.

The New York Post reported Kilo, a 12-year-old pit bull, was shot during a terrifying home invasion robbery attempt as he lunged at a villain posing as a FedEx deliveryman.


The bullet ricocheted off Kilo's skull and exited through his neck - sparing the dog from certain death.

"This is, like, one in a million," according to Dr Greg Panarello, whose veterinary clinic operated on Kilo.

"He's very lucky."

The hospital's staff was so impressed, they put a little "S" on his bandage - for "superhero"

Dr Panarello called him "a really sweet dog".

The drama unfolded at around 5pm local time Saturday, when the fake deliveryman pushed his way into the Staten Island apartment after claiming he had a package.

Justin Becker, 32, shoved him to the ground and pushed the door into his body, jamming the gunman as he lay halfway inside the apartment.

That was when Kilo sprang into action.

"My dog stuck his head out the door, and then (the would-be burglar) shot him in the head," Mr Becker said.

The cowardly gunman then ran off, according to the New York Post.

Mr Becker's girlfriend, Nicole Percoco, thought there was no way Kilo would survive.

"Hold him in your arms. Let him die in your arms," she told Mr Becker. But he refused to give up on his best friend.

He picked up Kilo and rushed him to the South Shore Animal Hospital.

An X-ray showed the bullet entered Kilo's head but never penetrated his skull.

There was a lot of swelling but no fracture to the bone, Dr Panarello said.

It also looks like Kilo did not suffer any injury to his brain.

Kilo is back home now - with painkillers and antibiotics, and under orders to rest up.

He also has a cone around his neck to restrict his movement and a drain for his wounds. (adelaidenow.com.au)