Dog saves 86-year-old owner after naked man attacks him outside home, family says

MANCHESTER, N.H. (WMUR/CNN) - A devoted pup gave back to the family who saved him last year by jumping on and holding a man attacking his 86-year-old owner in his backyard.

Ned Tarmey, 86, was reunited Tuesday with the family dog, Kane, in the hospital intensive care unit. He and his family say the dog saved his life when he was attacked by a neighbor early Sunday.

“Oh, do I love you, huh? What a good boy. You saved my life,” said Ned Tarmey to Kane in video of their reunion.

The 86-year-old was at home in Manchester, New Hampshire, with only Kane for company when investigators say 55-year-old Donald Pierce broke into the family’s backyard while naked and started attacking the man.

“When he opened up the door, he got hit by a brick. There was a fully naked man right here,” said Jeff Tarmey, the victim’s nephew.

He says Ned Tarmey was taking Kane outside when he encountered Pierce, who allegedly screamed he was going to kill the 86-year-old. He then began throwing rocks and lawn furniture at the victim, his nephew says.

That’s when the usually sweet and affectionate Kane went into protective mode, throwing himself onto Pierce and holding him until police arrived and arrested the suspect.

“His master was being attacked. He went full-on fight,” Jeff Tarmey said.

He adds that he just rescued Kane from a shelter in Derry last year. He believes the dog saved his uncle’s life.

“The dog saved his life. Because if it wasn’t for the dog, then he certainly would have continued to beat my uncle and killed him,” Jeff Tarmey said.

As Ned Tarmey continues to recover, his story goes to prove that the love between a dog and his family is unbreakable.

Pierce is facing more than a dozen charges, including first-degree assault, indecent exposure and cruelty to animals. He is scheduled to appear in court next week.