Dexter doesn’t wear a cape but he is now an unlikely hero of his quiet Woodend cul-de-sac.
The eight-year-old jack russell’s insistent barking raised the alarm to the cries of an elderly neighbour injured in a fall.
Owner Philip MacCana said Dexter was adamant something was wrong.
“I was at the back of the house and heard him barking from the front window. He just kept it up and wouldn’t stop,” Philip said.
“When I ventured outside I heard the faint call of ‘help’.”
Philip found his neighbour had fallen in her front yard, suffering facial injuries and couldn’t get up.
He immediately sprung into action, calling Triple Zero for help. With an ambulance on the way and advice not to lift his neighbour, he shielded her from the sun with an umbrella until they arrived.
Now, about two weeks since the incident, Philip said his neighbour was recovering well at home.
Philip said Dexter played an important role in getting help to the scene.
“Dexter is very sociable. He especially loves babies and children,” Philip said.
“He doesn’t like to hear people upset or hurt and will often respond to any cries of people on television.”
Dexter continues to monitor the court from his favourite viewing window.
