Veterinary surgeons at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (Ovah) in the north of Pretoria, recently saved the life of a brave dog that saved her family from robbers.

Phoenix, a female Africanis, attacked the armed robbers when they entered the home of the Motalane family.

The robbers shot Phoenix in the head but she continued to charge at the intruders and managed to chase them away.

Her owner, Mmakgomo Motalane immediately rushed Phoenix to the Ovah at the University of Pretoria faculty of veterinary science seeking veterinary attention.

“Phoenix is our hero and deserves the best possible care to help her overcome this traumatic experience. She deserves a chance to survive this devastating incident,” Motalane says.

The veterinary team on duty at the Ovah small animal clinics, all attached to the faculty’s department of companion animal clinical studies, stabilised Phoenix and evaluated the extent of her injuries.

Radiographs revealed that the bullet had caused damage to the side of her face, specifically the upper and lower jaw.

At the dental and maxillofacial surgery clinic Dr Mareli van der Wetering, under the guidance of a veterinary specialist in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery Prof Gerhard Steenkamp, managed Phoenix’s pain, cleaned the wounds, and removed bony fragments and broken teeth.

The left side of Phoenix’s jaw had multiple fractures and half needed to be remove (hemi-mandibulectomy).

In theatre, with the anaesthesiology team, Dr Anika de Witt, a small animal surgical resident, under the guidance of small animal surgical specialist Dr Hermien Viljoen, removed half of the jaw and modified the lip (cheiloplasty).

Post-operatively, she was kept comfortable in the high care ward where ongoing care was provided by Ovah staff and students.

Phoenix was discharged as soon as her comfort level was controlled and she could eat. She is currently recovering at home.

The veterinary team at Ovah believes that Phoenix will continue to live a full life.