C9

This ostrich refuses to go down without a fight! As wild dogs close in, the ostrich unleashes a powerful kick, sending one of its pursuers tumbling through the dust. Sometimes, the hunted can fight back!

"This was captured on the Markowski family's backyard security camera last Thursday afternoon in Akron, Ohio. The man on the ground is Raymond Markowski. He's 67 years old. Retired factory supervisor. Raymond had been doing light yard work near his garden beds on a warm afternoon when he experienced a serious medical emergency and collapsed. He was alone in the backyard. His wife Carol was at a grocery appointment. His phone was inside on the kitchen counter. The dog is a large black and tan German Shepherd named Bruno. Four years old. Raymond had raised Bruno from a twelve-week-old puppy. Bruno had been Raymond's shadow for four years. Followed him through every room of the house. Joined him for every morning walk. Sat at his feet during every evening on the back porch. The backyard security footage shows Raymond moving along the garden bed at 2:14 PM. Then he goes down. Hard and sudden. He doesn't get up. Bruno is on him within seconds. The dog presses his body against Raymond's side. Nudges his face. Paws at his shoulder. Raymond's hand moves once but he cannot get up. Bruno stands fully. Looks at Raymond for one moment. Then he runs to the fence. The footage shows Bruno at the fence line, jumping repeatedly, body fully extended each time. The neighbor, a man named Gerald Park, age 71, was in his own yard at the time. Bruno's behavior at the fence caught his attention immediately. Gerald came to the fence. Looked over. Bruno turned the moment Gerald appeared and ran directly back toward Raymond's collapsed body. Gerald told us: "The dog looked at me once and then ran back. I followed the direction he ran and that's when I saw Raymond on the ground. I had my phone in my shirt pocket. I called emergency services immediately and climbed the fence." Emergency services arrived within six minutes. Raymond was transported to Summa Health Medical Center. He received treatment for the medical emergency and was stabilized. He spent four days in the hospital. He is home now and continuing his recovery.