Deaf dog helps owner stop attempted burglary

Dan Strasser of Salem, Oregon is crediting his deaf 3-year-old English Springer Spaniel, Bonnie, for helping him catch an attempted home burglar in the act. As reported by KPTV Fox 12, Bonnie was excitedly running around the living room at 6 a.m. recently, which woke Dan. The dog owner got out of bed to investigate and said he found an intruder, Thomas Lowell, in his living room trying to take his laptop. Even though Bonnie can't hear, Dan said, "She smelled him because she does have a very good sense of smell. And she jumped up and got all excited thinking someone was there to play." The perpetrator then took off with the computer.

“When he bolted, I think just in the confusion because as you can imagine, there’s probably a lot going on in his mind with, ‘How do I get out of this place?’ He doesn’t know it. It was dark and so he just turned in here and ran through the kitchen,” explained Dan. But it was that turn that sealed the suspect’s fate. Dan followed him with his gun and Thomas Lowell was trapped in the garage. Dan recalled, “There was a lot of, ‘I’m sorry’s. Uh, you know I mean he starts talking about he wants to get home and he wants to see his kid. Can I please let him go? I mean all the stuff you would do if you’re caught and you don’t want to go to jail.” But the police arrived soon after Dan’s girlfriend called 911 and the 25-year-old intruder was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal mischief, and possession of methamphetamine. Dan had left his home’s back door open for Bonnie to access the backyard, and he believes that’s how the suspect entered. The homeowner is happy there were no injuries during the melee and now says he will keep that door locked.

More information: KPTV