His body is riddled with bullets, but Aslan the boxer mix is still wagging his stubby tail.
The dog is credited with saving his owners' lives during a violent home invasion in the Hollywood Hills. He is recovering after he was shot at least three times by the intruders.
Four people were taken into custody Wednesday after the home-invasion robbery and car chase. Three of the four suspects forced their way into a home in the 8200 block of Mannix Drive at about 1:40 a.m., police said.
The robbers demanded the homeowner open a safe. The attackers then shot the man and his dog.
"I spoke very briefly to the owner," said Dr. Steve Bilbery. "And she basically said this dog saved their lives. He woke them up, alerted them that someone was there. I think in this instance, the dog confronted these individuals and probably was going after them."
The victim's wife and son were home during the attack. Neighbors said they heard Aslan's barks, yelling and gunshots.
Aslan, 5, lost part of a lung. He was in critical, but stable condition, Wednesday night at an animal hospital.
Hopsital workers described him as "cheerful."
"It is absolutely astounding that the bullet that went across the chest missed the heart by maybe an inch or two," Bilbery said. "It didn't hit any of the major blood vessels in the chest. He was a really lucky dog."
Bilbery said it appeared from the angle of the bullet wounds that someone was shooting down at the dog. Aslan is the Great Lion in "The Chronicles of Narnia" series.
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The four suspects then took off in a car, leading police on a chase that eventually ended with a crash in Mid-City near the intersection of Saturn Street and Hauser Boulevard.
"The suspect, upon crossing Pico Boulevard over here, lost control of the vehicle and collided with these other two (cars). Suspects then fled on foot. A perimeter was set up and after a while, the suspects were taken into custody," said LAPD Sgt. Rudy Vidal.
After the crash, police were seen counting a large amount of cash. Police have yet to find any weapons used in the attack.
Authorities said one of the suspects is a former housekeeper who was recently fired by the family.
