October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Entry 324Filed under Breeding

Loyal Great Dane Steps In When His Person Needs Him Most

A 2015 iHeartDogs article says J Matthew, a 110-pound Great Dane, shielded his person during an assault and suffered multiple fractures. Here is what the account reports, what remains unverified, and why pet-inclusive safety planning matters.
4-minute read By Animalso Team

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

In a 2015 account published by iHeartDogs, a 110-pound Great Dane named J Matthew is described as shielding his person during a violent assault. The article says he lay on top of her, absorbed most of the blows, and suffered severe injuries while giving her time to escape.

The story also points to Rose Brooks Center in Kansas City as a place where survivors could seek help without abandoning their pets. Because the account is more than a decade old and no police report, veterinary record, named witness, or current shelter statement was available for verification, the incident and shelter history should be understood as the published article’s account—not independently confirmed findings.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What the 2015 story says happened

Marshall Morris’s July 19, 2015, iHeartDogs article identifies the dog as J Matthew, a Great Dane weighing about 110 pounds. According to that article, he responded when his person was attacked with a hammer by placing his body over her. The account says he took most of the impacts and sustained many broken bones, including a fractured hip and two broken ribs.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The article says the attacker dragged J Matthew into the street. That moment reportedly allowed the woman to get away. She went first to a police station, where she was directed to Rose Brooks Center.

#1 Best Overall
LEGEND SANDY Tough Dog Toys, Stuffed Chew Large Dog Toys to Keep Them Busy, Interactive Squeaky Tug of War Doggie Toy, Crinkle Blue Octopus
  • 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 We use heavy duty technology to adds a strong and sturdy lining,as well as waterproof layer that prevents your dog's saliva from getting into the padded cotton. Every seam is double stitched and reinforced to ensure that our chew toy lasts through countless chews and teething making it the strongest and long lasting option avarible of plush dog toys
  • 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐲 Cute angry octopus,Vibrant blue dog toys. This super fun large dog toy has a squeaker in the head and crinkly paper in 6 tentacles. Squeak and crinkle offer a delightfully sounds treat. The highly elastic tentacles offers maximum tug of war pleasure, while the sound attraction and dynamic changes will keep your pet engaged for hours. The squeaky dog toy is the ultimate toy for your furry friend and no dog can resist it
  • 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐨𝐲 With 6 long legs, it’s best for multiplayer tug-of-war that the whole family can enjoy. Floppy, lightweight body, easy for small, medium and large dogs to carry, toss, and roll around with. This interactive dog toy is perfect as a comfort toy for your doggie that relieves depression, boredom, separation anxiety and giving them an active outlet for channeling aggression or intense play to prevent damage to furniture
  • 𝐂𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 A premium, soft plush dog toy Made from cuddly natural cotton. This furry stuffed animal dog toy is not only safe for your furry friend, but also gentler on their teeth, gums, and overall dental health. Our puppy chew toy is designed to relieve anxiety in puppies while satisfying their sensory needs, including smelling and hearing
  • 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐲𝐬 This big dog toys is machine washable and easy to clean. Like any other plush dog toy, it is not indestructible, we recommend playing under supervision. If you have any questions about the quality of the squeaky dog toy, please contact us, we will give you a satisfactory solution

The article uses highly emotional, dramatic language to frame the event. That wording belongs to the author’s narration; it is not a statement from a named witness, police officer, veterinarian, or shelter representative.

J Matthew’s injuries and the reported escape

  • Dog: J Matthew, described as a Great Dane weighing 110 pounds.
  • Action described: He lay on his person during the assault and took most of the blows.
  • Injuries reported: Many broken bones, including a hip fracture and two fractured ribs.
  • Opening to safety: The article says he was dragged into the street, giving the woman time to flee to a police station.

Those details are specific to the iHeartDogs article. The available account does not identify the attacker, name a treating veterinarian, provide medical records, or cite a police case number. It therefore cannot establish the injuries or sequence of events as independently verified facts.

Rank #2
Sale
Kseroo Tough Dog Chew Toys for Aggressive Chewers 20-90lbs, Red
  • Built for Aggressive Chewers (20–90 lbs): This Kseroo reinforced high-density solid nylon bone is engineered specifically for medium and large dogs 20–90 lbs. The dense nylon gives power chewers the satisfying resistance they crave, wearing down slowly instead of breaking apart. Let's be honest: no chew toy lasts forever. Rough edges over time? That's normal, expected wear — not a defect
  • Smoked-In Beef Flavor, NotJust Surface Coating: This Kseroo nylon bone uses a smoking process (similar to smoking meat) to draw beef flavor deep into the material. Every bite releases a consistent, meat-like scent that keeps heavy chewers interested longer. The aroma is subtle to humans but irresistible to dogs — making this dog chew toy the go-to choice for picky chewers who lose interest in surface-coated toys quickly
  • Built for Dogs That Shred Rubber Toys: Rubber chew toys tear into pieces under aggressive chewing, and those broken-off chunks can become a choking or digestion risk. This tough dog toy is made with high-density nylon that wears down gradually instead of splitting into sharp pieces. For dogs that destroy regular toys in minutes, this is the upgrade you've been looking for
  • Stop Coming Home to Chewed Furniture: Does your dog gnaw baseboards, ruin shoes, or chew table legs when you're out? It's not bad behavior — dogs chew from instinct, boredom, or restlessness. This Kseroo chew toy gives them a dedicated outlet so they stay happily occupied, and your furniture, shoes, and cords stay intact. Now you can leave home without worrying what they'll get into next
  • A Go-To Chew Toy for Dogs When Things Get Loud or Lonely: Thunderstorms, fireworks, vet visits, or being home alone can make your dog restless and bored. If your pup paces, barks, or chews furniture when you're away, this Kseroo chew toy gives them something better to do. The satisfying texture keeps them chewing and playing, so they stay occupied instead of getting into trouble. Ideal for keeping dogs busy while you're at work, during storms or anytime they need a fun distraction at home

Why Rose Brooks Center appears in the story

After reaching a police station, the woman was reportedly referred to Rose Brooks Center, a domestic-violence service in Kansas City. The article presents the center as a refuge that recognized a practical barrier faced by many survivors: leaving an abusive home can also mean finding somewhere safe for an animal.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Morris’s article calls J Matthew the center’s first animal affected by domestic abuse. It further says the center later protected 36 additional family pets and opened its first domestic-violence pet shelter in 2012. The retrieved article supplies no measurement period, capacity figures, program rules, or independent documentation for those numbers. They should be attributed to the 2015 article rather than treated as current statistics.

Rank #3
Feeko Dog Rope Toys for Large Breed Aggressive Chewers, Tough Chew Dog Toys
  • 2 Pack XL Dog Rope Toy: Design for large dogs and aggressive chewers, consists of 2 durable XL rope toys, 27 inches of 4 knots and 20 inches of 5 knots
  • Durable and Safe Material: Washable 100% natural cotton ropes, safe and durable
  • Teeth Cleaning: Tasteless natural material can safely clean the teeth of dogs, the fibers can floss in between dog’s teeth for deep cleaning, prevent the accumulation of dental plaque and gum disease, keep the dog's teeth clean
  • Tug of War Interactive Dog Toys: Suit aggressive chewers for tug of war game, you can play with the dog by ropes
  • Dog's Gift: These dog rope set toys are perfect as a dog gift for a birthday, adoption anniversary or any holiday
Detail How it is presented Qualification
110-pound Great Dane J Matthew’s reported weight Story detail attributed to the 2015 iHeartDogs article
36 additional pets Animals the article says Rose Brooks later protected No time period or independent verification supplied
2012 shelter opening Year the article says the center opened its first domestic-violence pet shelter Historical claim in the article; current availability is not established

What this story can—and cannot—tell pet owners

It shows why pet-inclusive safety planning matters

The account’s practical message is that a survivor may delay leaving if a dog or other companion animal cannot go along. A safety plan can include a trusted friend, a veterinary contact, emergency transportation, vaccination records, medications, food, and a secure temporary placement. Those arrangements vary by location, so anyone seeking help should ask a local domestic-violence program directly whether it accepts pets, works with foster caregivers, or can arrange another safe option.

It does not prove that dogs generally intervene in assaults

J Matthew’s reported behavior is one individual story, not a population statistic or evidence that dogs can reliably protect people from violence. Dogs may hide, flee, bark, or become injured; confronting an attacker can also increase danger for both the animal and the person. Professional advocates and emergency services should guide immediate safety decisions.

Rank #4
Best Pet Supplies Interactive Squeaky Dog Toy - Crinkle Chicken, Brown
  • Interactive Fun Play - These dog crinkle toys are shaped as an adorable six-legged octopus and comes in bright, vibrant colors that are both fun and engaging. A great way to play fetch with and stimulate their natural behaviors.
  • Durable and Engaging Play - Our plush dog toys are important for keeping your dog physically active, either puppies or senior dogs. These toys can be chewed on, thrown, and played with in tons of fun and engaging ways!
  • Perfect Cuddle Buddies - These cute dog toys can also be used to keep dogs comfortable and perfect as their sleeping buddies!
  • Bonding Activity - Dog toys aren't just good for your dog's wellness, but also a great way for you to bond and establish trust and love with your dog! Important for dogs of all ages and breeds.
  • Squeaks and Crinkles - These dog chew toys feature crinkle material in the legs and stuffing in the head that squeaks to give them multiple stimulation points for a more interactive play. And they come in exciting colors, too!

Rose Brooks information may have changed

The article is dated 2015. It does not establish Rose Brooks Center’s programs, eligibility rules, shelter capacity, or intake procedures in 2026. Anyone considering that organization should confirm its current services through its official, up-to-date channels rather than relying on the decade-old article.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to read the account responsibly

  1. Separate narrative from verification. Treat the assault, injuries, and shelter-history figures as claims reported by Morris’s article.
  2. Avoid repeating the dramatic framing as testimony. No named person is quoted in the retrieved material.
  3. Check current local resources. Domestic-violence hotlines, police departments, animal shelters, veterinarians, and pet-foster networks can explain what is available in a survivor’s area.
  4. Prioritize immediate safety. In an active emergency, contact emergency services and follow an advocate’s instructions; do not assume a pet can safely confront an attacker.

The larger significance

J Matthew’s story remains memorable because it depicts a dog placing himself between his person and danger, then suffering serious harm. Its most durable lesson is less about heroic intervention than about the need for safe, pet-inclusive escape plans. The article helped draw attention to shelters that may accommodate animals, while the specific incident and historical figures remain claims of a 2015 human-interest report rather than independently corroborated records.

Best Value
Sale
Apasiri Tough Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers: Beef Flavored Long Lasting Dog Bones for Large Dogs, Indestructible Dog Chew Toys to Keep Them Busy, Large Dog Toys for Medium & Large Breed, Red
  • Stop Wasting Money on 2-Minute Toys: Engineered for the crushing jaw pressure of 20-80 lb breeds like Labs and German Shepherds, this dual-material bone features a rock-solid nylon core reinforced with a dense rubber sleeve to outlast standard plush toys and finally give you a break from constant replacements
  • The Ultimate Furniture Defense Strategy: Stop coming home to chewed-up baseboards or destroyed sneakers by redirecting your dog's destructive energy to this beef-infused decoy that is far more satisfying and longer-lasting than your expensive home decor
  • Your New Work-From-Home Savior: Finally enjoy a peaceful Zoom call or cook dinner without interruption by smearing peanut butter into the rubber grooves, instantly transforming this bone into an engaging pacifier that keeps high-energy dogs silently focused for 30+ minutes
  • Daily Dental Care Without the Fight: Forget the wrestling match of manual brushing, as the raised rubber nubs and grooves act as a passive toothbrush to mechanically scrape away plaque and tartar, freshening breath while your dog simply thinks they are playing
  • Frustration-Free Grip for Paws: Unlike smooth plastic sticks that annoyingly slide across hardwood floors, our bulbous end design allows dogs to easily pin the toy upright, giving them the perfect vertical leverage for a satisfying chew session that doesn't slip away

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Field Notes

  1. Entry 01Disaster Preparedness for Pets: What to Plan and PackBreeding6 min
  2. Entry 02Holiday Pet Safety Tips: How to Keep Dogs and Cats Safe Through the HolidaysBreeding7 min
  3. Entry 03What to Buy for a New Rescue Dog: A First-Week Essentials GuideBreeding3 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.