Dog chews off drunk owner's big toe... and saves his life (it was infected)

Daily Mail, By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE, 4th August 2010

A dog who chewed off his owner’s infected toe while he was passed-out drunk has been hailed a lifesaver.

Jerry Douthett had been out drinking margaritas when his Jack Russell terrier Kiko bit off a large chunk of his big toe.

His wife, Rosee, rushed him to hospital where tests showed the 48-year-old musician had dangerous high blood-sugar levels.

 Lucky: Doctors found Jerry Douthett was suffering with diabetes after his dog chewed off his infected big toe

Doctors diagnosed Mr Douthett with Type 2 diabetes – and told him his toe would have had to have been amputated anyway.

Mr Douthett, from Rockford, Michigan, said he had refused to get medical advice despite his toe being swollen for months.

‘I was hiding it from people, Rosee included,’ he said.

‘It smelled, and I look back now and realise every time we'd visit someone with a dog, their dog would be sniffing all over my foot.’

Hero: Jerry believes Kiko could smell the disease in his toe

The night before Mr Douthett had agreed to see a doctor, he passed out at home after going out drinking.

He said: ‘I woke up and the dog was laying along side by foot. I said “man there's blood everywhere”.

‘I ran to the bathroom and started to scream.’

However, he believes Kiko could sense the disease coming from his big toe.

‘He's a hero,’ Mr Douthett said.

‘It wasn't an aggressive attack, he pretty much just ate the infection. He saved my life.

‘He ate it. I mean, he must have eaten it, because we couldn't find it anywhere else in the house. I look down, there's blood all over, and my toe is gone.’

Before the surgery, Mr Douthett asked a nurse: ‘Is there any chance I can get whatever's left of my toe, so I can give it to Kiko as a treat?’

Kiko is still with the family but is under observation by authorities.