A Tampa, Florida family dog is battling life-threatening snake bites after protecting one of his family members.
The 2-year-old German shepard, named Haus, was playing in the back yard with 7-year-old Molly Deluca and her grandmother on Wednesday afternoon when the incident occurred, Fox 13 reports.
“She saw him jump back, and go forward, and jump back and go forward,” said Donya DeLuca, Molly’s mother. “He was just, kind of, holding his ground.”
The 68-pound dog was fighting a rattlesnake, and suffered three bites from the encounter.
“Just based on temperament, he was standing up for my daughter, he was standing between, he didn’t budge,” Donya said. “He kept taking hits, she was on the other side of him, and so was my mom.”
Image: GoFundMe
“Next thing we know is, there’s blood and he was limping and crying,” Donya told Fox 13.
Haus is currently being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at BluePearl Vet Hospital. As of Thursday night his health was still “touch and go.” Because of the amount of times Haus was struck, the dog is on a slow drip on anti-venom.
Due to the extent of his injuries and treatment, Donya has set up a GoFundMe campaign in order to help with medical expenses. At the time of writing, the family has raised $8,905 with the goal of $12,000.
Image: GoFundMe
“I couldn’t even sleep last night. I barely slept because it is bittersweet. I am doing everything I can. I feel like I owe it to him to keep trying to save him,” Donya told Fox 13.
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