A young Yorkie named Missy has earned praise as a hero after bravely defending her 10-year-old owner, Lily Cowan, from a coyote attack in Toronto.

The shocking incident was caught on camera as Lily and Missy walked through their neighborhood. The footage shows a coyote approaching the pair, stalking them before launching its attack.

Panicked, Lily cried out for help, then dropped Missy’s leash to alert a neighbor. At that moment, Missy sprang into action, fighting the coyote to protect her owner.

Lily’s mother, Dorothy Kwan, admired Missy’s courage: “I never imagined this little dog could fight off a wild animal to protect us,” she said. “She’s an incredibly brave dog, and I love her so much.”

Although Missy successfully protected Lily, she was injured in the process, suffering damage to her leg and body. She will need surgery to recover.

To cover the medical costs, Dorothy started a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $10,000. Thanks to the support of generous donors, the fund has now exceeded $38,000, with only $2,000 left to reach the new target.

“My dog would do anything for our family, so I’m not surprised she did this,” Dorothy said. “She’s our little heroine.”

She added, “I never imagined a coyote would come so close, especially in broad daylight while someone shouted. It was shocking to see how aggressive the animal was toward us.”

This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the loyalty and bravery that dogs like Missy show, never to be taken for granted. Well done, Missy!