Loyal dog in the line of fire refused to leave her owner, standing guard over him during the Bondi Beach shooting
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of gun violence that some readers may find distressing
A loyal dog refused to leave her owner during a horrific shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia, staying by his side even as chaos unfolded around them. A Bernese Mountain Dog named Maui remained close to her owner despite the gunfire and panicked crowds. The tragic incident occurred on December 14, 2025, when two men opened fire on a group celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, resulting in the death of at least 16 people, including one of the attackers.
As reported by The Mirror on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, heartbreaking footage shows Maui standing over her owner while shots rang out nearby. The dog’s fear was clear, yet she did not abandon him, even when a gunman with a long weapon appeared close to the crowd. Maui’s owner was killed in the attack, though his identity has not been officially released. The viral video clearly shows the canine standing her ground, guarding her lifeless owner. It is understood that the owner was walking with his wife and their smaller white poodle at the time. Anne-Marie Curry, founder of Arthur and Co Pet Detectives, thanked community efforts and online lost-and-found groups while confirming, “The dog is now with the victim's wife.” There is footage showing Maui standing over several victims after her owner was shot, placing her directly in danger.
Social media posts also shared tributes to the man, with a friend noting, “Our friend was Maui’s dad, who was killed. She adored her dad, and my heart breaks for her. Thank you to whoever it was who caught her and got her home.” They further added, "He was such a lovely guy. A really gentle soul." The December 14 attack, carried out by father-and-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram, left 15 victims dead and 42 more injured, including the younger shooter, who remains in critical condition. Police fatally shot the older attacker during the incident.
A pet dog's loyalty is unquestionable, as proven in another heartbreaking incident in China. A dog was found sitting alone on a bridge for days, waiting for someone. Despite efforts from passersby to offer food and comfort, the dog refused to leave, remaining in the same spot. Workers repairing the Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan first noticed the dog and alerted the Wuhan Small Animal Protection Association (SAPA). Upon investigation, security footage revealed the heartbreaking reason behind his actions: how the dog’s owner had jumped from the bridge days earlier, and the dog was waiting for their return. A kind man named Mr. Xu tried to rescue the dog, offering food and even trying to place him in his car, but the dog jumped out and ran back to the bridge. Volunteers searched for days, but the dog was never found. The dog’s behavior became a powerful reminder of the deep bond between pets and their owners.