In Peru, a 25-pound spaniel mix named Machis has been hailed as a hero after preventing a dynamite blast that could have killed her family. By biting into the live fuse of the explosive, Machis stopped the device from detonating — but at a heavy cost.
What happened on the night of the attack?
The incident took place when someone threw a lit stick of dynamite over the fence into journalist Carlos Alberto Mesias Zarate’s yard. Security footage shows a suspect in dark clothing tossing the explosive before fleeing the scene.
Machis, who was in the yard at the time, immediately ran to the device. Instead of backing away, the small spaniel mix pushed it around and then bit into it. The dynamite’s fuse went out in her mouth, defusing the threat before it could explode.
Authorities later confirmed that the explosive was the same type of dynamite commonly used in landmines, making the situation particularly dangerous.
How did the dog save her family?
According to Zarate, the dog’s instinctive act of biting the dynamite directly prevented a tragedy.
- The fuse extinguished in her mouth before reaching the charge.
- The blast was completely averted, saving the family’s lives.
- No one inside the house was harmed.
“She chewed it and chewed it and saved our lives,” Zarate told NBC News.
What happened to Machis?
Although Machis stopped the explosion, she was not left unscathed. The act damaged her vocal cords, leaving her unable to bark as she once did.
“You can’t hear her bark now,” Zarate said, noting that she remains physically active but has lost part of her natural voice.
Despite the injury, Machis has become a local celebrity, admired for her bravery and sacrifice. Social media users have showered her with praise, with many calling her “the bravest dog in Peru.”
Was a suspect arrested?
Yes. Zarate called the police immediately after the incident. Authorities quickly investigated, and a suspect was later taken into custody. While the motive remains unclear, Zarate described the attack as part of “his line of work” as a journalist, suggesting it could have been a targeted act of intimidation.
Why does this story resonate globally?
Stories of dogs protecting their families often capture worldwide attention because they showcase loyalty and instinctive bravery. Machis’ case stands out because:
- She neutralized an active explosive — a rare and extraordinary act for any animal.
- Her quick response demonstrated the unique bond between pets and their owners.
- The sacrifice she made — losing her ability to bark — underscores the cost of her courage.
Other cases of heroic dogs
Machis’ story joins a long list of canine heroics worldwide:
- In Switzerland, a Chihuahua refused to leave the spot where her owner had fallen 26 feet into a ravine, helping rescuers locate him.
- In the U.S., several service dogs have saved owners from house fires by alerting them in time.
- In another case, an elderly dog guided rescuers to her injured owner in the woods after she had fallen and was unable to move.
These stories highlight how dogs, regardless of size or breed, often put themselves in harm’s way to protect the people they love.
TL;DR
Machis, a 25-pound spaniel mix in Peru, saved her family when someone threw a stick of dynamite into their yard. By biting the live fuse, she extinguished it before it could explode. While her family was unharmed, Machis suffered damage to her vocal cords and can no longer bark. Police arrested a suspect, and the dog has since become a local hero.