Tisha the Staffy has been praised for stopping a burglar from stealing valuables from owner Hayden Morrison’s Dandenong North home. For the full story turn to page 3.
By Emma Sun
A STAFFY dog has been hailed a hero after fending off a burglar from her owner’s property in Dandenong North.
Hayden Morrison was at work in Broad Poultry in Narre Warren when the thief broke into his house on Heatherton Road last Thursday and ransacked the property.
Senior Constable Matt Davey from the Dandenong CIU said the incident had a similar M.O. to a lot of burglaries in the area where the thief went around the back and entered through a window.
“The thief would rummage through rooms and taking things they could carry, like laptops, jewellery and things like that,” Sen Const Davey said.
“From there he’d go straight out the door but in this occasion the dog came and met him and some sort of scuffle ensued and the dog obviously won.
“So on the way out he probably couldn’t be as cautious and somehow managed to put an arm or something through the glass of the window and there was a lot of blood.”
Mr Morrison said this was probably the third time someone had tried to break into the house through the same back window.
“My dog’s got them every time,” he said.
“The bloke who broke in on Thursday jemmied the window up and he started looking around and my dog got a hold of him and when he tried to dive through the closed window, he sliced himself.”
The police have searched nearby medical clinics and hospitals for the wounded thief but are yet to find a match.
“I think he probably went to another area,” Sen Const Davey said.
“I believe he would’ve needed some sort of medical attention, whether it was getting wrapped or stitches but at this stage I’m not sure of the extent of his injuries.”
Mr Morrison said he was very proud of Tisha’s actions and quick thinking.
“You have no idea, she’s the biggest sook when the family’s around but when she needs to do her job she’s more than good at it,” he said.
“I feel sensational.”
Sen Const Davey praised Tisha for her efforts in deterring the thief.
“The dog’s done well,” he said.
“I’m even thinking about going out and buying one myself.”
