Rescue pitbull attacked alleged Altoona burglar, helped restrain him until police arrived
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Spuds, a nine-year-old pitbull, lives with his family along Third Avenue in Altoona.
"Spuds is a protector," his owner, Leroy Rucker, told 6 News.
On March 24th, the rescue dog helped rescue his own family, when someone uninvited came knocking.
"I was just sitting in here watching TV with the dogs like I always do," Rucker said.
That was when an alleged intruder came through the front door.
Police later identified him as 53-year-old Robert Burke Jr.
"He wasn't going to just walk in my house uninvited. I don't know you like that buddy. Spuds didn't like it either," Rucker said.
Rucker said Spuds joined his family in restraining Burke.
He was coming to hang out with dad. That's all I can say. He sees me fighting, he wants to fight," Rucker said.Rucker said Spuds helped contain the burglar for 20 minutes until police arrived.
"The guy (Burke) listened. I mean, he listened better when the dog was right there present, you know what I mean," said Rucker.
Spuds has formed a bond with the community and even the local garbagemen,
"I'm a garbageman. I deal with dogs everyday -- five or six days a week -- but spuds is very protective of his family. He knows good and bad, and that's what dogs are supposed to do," Steven Rightenour said.
Spuds has turned from man's best friend to man's best protector.
"For them, it's protection. For me, its love," Rucker said.
Burke was arraigned to Blair County Prison on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment, according to online court documents.
He has since posted his $50,000 bail and his next court date is scheduled for May 13.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfqL22sNJmoKxlkWK9s7vTnpqtp6Jiuqax02aroZ1dpba1rtSlo2avmKR6osDTmpqknZRirq24xKCcnWWSqr%2BouMCr