Pregnant Rescue Dog Gives Birth, Moment She Attacks Owner Caught on Camera
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A couple who brought in a pregnant foster dog experienced a brief scare after the mother went after the woman, trying to protect her babies.
JJ Knight and his partner, Ella, quickly stepped in to foster a pregnant St. Bernard named Daisy. Her previous owner surrendered her due to being unable to fund her birth. They were told Daisy would give birth in a few weeks, but only four days into fostering, the day arrived.
She gave birth at the veterinarian's office after the couple took Daisy there for a health check. They learned she was underweight, low on calcium, and had been overbred; this became her third litter in three years.
They transferred her from the vet's office, which was closing, to the emergency vet mid labor, as they did not feel comfortable bringing her back home knowing she still had low calcium.
"Once the puppies started feeding on her, they could deplete her calcium levels so much, she could end up having a seizure," Knight told Newsweek via email.
Daisy gave birth to nine puppies, and despite the health scare, both momma and her babies all survived. They received the all clear to go home, where the couple had a whelping pen ready for her to use.
Screenshots from a July 7 Instagram video of a St. Bernard mother attacking her rescuer while trying to protect her puppies.
Screenshots from a July 7 Instagram video of a St. Bernard mother attacking her rescuer while trying to protect her puppies.
@thegoldenkobefamily/Instagram
While caring for this mother and her pups, Knight and Ella noticed Daisy change, almost giving up on her babies, which the couple thought could be because this was her third litter in three years. She stopped feeding the puppies. She kept leaving the whelping pen. Daisy became protective, but not caring, Knight said.
That's when Daisy went after Ella one day when she came in to check on them. Their July 7 Instagram video, posted to the account @thegoldenkobefamily, showed a feeling coming over Daisy as she attacked Ella, barking and snipping.
"It was strange because we were with her the whole time during the birth, and helped her, and she was more than happy to be helped," Knight said. "Once she had given birth, she was happy for us to place the puppies on her teat for milk, happy for us to come and feed her."
Because the puppies were not getting enough food or stimulation, the couple consulted experts and was advised to separate them from Daisy. They began bottlefeeding all nine puppies every two hours, which they said became the hardest nights of their life.
Luckily, the couple received help. Another foster parent took in five of the puppies, with another St. Bernard mom who accepted the new babies as hers. Someone else brought in Daisy and a few other pups. Knight and Ella kept three to hand-feed. And now, all nine puppies and Daisy have been adopted.
Looking back on Daisy's moment of attack, Knight said Ella didn't take it to heart.
"It was scary at the time, but she was just being a protective mother," Knight said.
But this incident led Knight and Ella to be more cautious around Daisy, taking precautionary steps to make sure she didn't feel the need to become protective of her babies around them.
Knight said they've received hate on Instagram for the incident, with many comments stating the warning signs were there and they meddled too much. But Knight explained the whole story couldn't be told in a three-minute reel. They shared a longer YouTube video, with the help of their strategist Leroy ter Braak, to explain the situation.
"We know we did things wrong, but we got as much help from professionals as we could," Knight said. "And at the end of the day, we managed to save Daisy and help her deliver nine healthy puppies, who all survived, so we were really proud and happy about that."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Ms. Rachel Won't Work With People Silent About Gaza
Ms. Rachel (full name Rachel Accurso) is a children's YouTube personality with over 15 million subscribers, merchandise in stores like Target, and a Netflix deal. Rachel's reach is massive, and most recently, she's gone viral for using that reach to speak up for the children of Gaza, even if it's considered a risk to her career. Speaking with NPR, she said there has been pushback from her financial backers for her stance, but she's willing to risk it all. "I would risk everything, and I will risk my career over and over to stand up for them. It's all about the kids for me." The Associated Press reported that the Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, said 80 children have died from starvation since the beginning of the war. The U.N. World Food Program claims that 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition within Gaza. Note: These claims from the Gaza Health Ministry on the conditions for starvation are not independently verifiable, as mentioned in the AP of June 11, AP reported that the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war passed 55,000 according to the Gaza Health Ministry. While the ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants, they claim women and children make up more than half of the 55,000 dead. Israel has stated they don't target civilians, and the deaths are due to Hamas hiding among civilians in populated areas. Given these statistics and Rachel's stance on speaking up for the children of Gaza, it's only expected that she would hold her collaborators to a certain standard. Here's the real: Ms. Rachel won't work with anyone who doesn't speak out about Gaza. In a July 24 Instagram post, she shared a post that read, "To anyone asking to with work with me who hasn't spoken out about Gaza: Thank you for the request. I'm not comfortable working with anyone who hasn't spoken out about Gaza. Much love and God bless, Rachel." In the caption alongside the post, Rachel elaborated on why she had made this decision. "I will always choose kindness, but I will never understand your silence," she began. "I want people around me whose hearts break for every child - not just when it's convenient, not just when it's easy, not just when it's not controversial, not just when the child looks like you or is born in an 'acceptable' place," she continued. "I especially can't understand those with so much privilege - the uncancelable - who still remain in the shadows," Rachel added. Rachel ended the caption referencing the time she had accusations lobbed at her for her stance on the suffering children of the Israel-Hamas war. "I want the light. And I see those of you who risk everything to hold it. I'm in awe of you." Thousands of people supported Ms. Rachel after she shared this post, praising her for "choosing humanity." Earlier in the week, Rachel shared another post clarifying that her stance is solely based on her condemnation of all violence against humans. In the caption, she wrote, "I'm a kind, empathetic educator who sees all the world's children as I see my own. I don't see one group of children or people as more equal or worthy than another. This is a beautiful, strong, wonderful thing. This is a brave thing. This is a good thing. I'm proud of it. You can't tell me who I am because I know who I am. God knows who I am." The caption continued, "Some of us want all children to be protected. We want all children's rights to be respected. We don't want any civilians to suffer. We want international law to be followed. We want the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child to be followed. We want kids in school, learning and playing. We don't want violence against anyone." What do you make of Ms. Rachel's stance? Let's talk about it in the comments.
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Beloved Dog Who Went Missing During Texas Floods Found Alive
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A dog that went missing during the devastating floods in Central Texas earlier this month was found alive with help from a trackable GPS collar. The Context During the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Texas experienced severe flash floods, particularly along the Medina and Guadalupe Rivers. The flooding left a trail of devastation, with over 100 people reported dead. What To Know Erin Doguet was 1,500 miles away in Colorado when she learned that her ranch, which backs up to the Medina River, was flooding and her livestock guardian dog, Ziva, was missing, People reported. Over 200 animals at the ranch had been left in the care of Doguet's sister, Shannon, and a pet sitter, Taelyn. "Ziva took off after a predator or possibly also spooked by the big storm, causing her to end up on the back section of the ranch, which is bordered by the Medina River. As she crossed the river, the flood waters rose swiftly, trapping her," Doguet told the outlet. Doguet had previously fitted Ziva with a Tractive GPS collar. Using the device's app, Doguet helped guide Shannon and Taelyn to Ziva's location. After spending approximately 16 hours in a flooded gully, and with help from an audible sound feature on the collar, Ziva was found and rescued by Shannon and Taelyn. "The app worked flawlessly in guiding us to her location," Doguet told People. A photo shows flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025. A photo shows flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025. Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images Doguet said Ziva was physically unharmed but exhausted. The dog drank water and rested for over 12 hours upon returning home. Across Central Texas, other survival stories have emerged from the devastation. A dog named Superman was found atop debris after being swept away by the floods. Animal organizations, such as Austin Pets Alive!, have taken in hundreds of displaced pets, mobilizing veterinarians, staff, and volunteers to aid in the emergency response. What People Are Saying Erin Doguet told People: "I burst into tears knowing they found her alive! When the collar kept reporting her same location for hours on the river, I feared she was dead." Suzie Chase, a community affairs officer for Austin Pets Alive!, previously told Newsweek: "The Central Texas community has been incredibly generous, dropping off canned pet food, blankets, towels and crates. They have volunteered to help transport animals from Kerr County and help with the search and rescue efforts. We are so grateful!" What Happens Next Austin Pets Alive! announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday that its flood response efforts are ongoing. "You can help us continue to be there for Central Texas pets and their communities through our disaster relief efforts by donating funds or supplies, volunteering, fostering, or adopting," the organization said. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Three-Legged Foster Dog Found Covered in Scars, the Reason Breaks Hearts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. After months of fostering a street dog from Mexico, a woman was left in tears after learning the horrifying reality of where the scars on his body came from. Last summer, Alyssa Blackwell Hammond, 36, fostered a litter of puppies who got sick with canine parvovirus and almost died. It was such a challenging time, and once they had been nursed back to health, Hammond vowed to take some time away from fostering. Months later, she came across a photo of Tripp, a Tijuana mutt, and everything changed. Hammond, of San Diego, California, told Newsweek that he immediately "struck this place in [her] heart." Tripp was saved from the streets of Mexico and is thought to be around 3 years old. He was emaciated, had a leg amputated after being hit by a car, and was covered in scars. At the start of 2025, Hammond fostered Tripp and gave him a loving home when he needed it most. "He's so appreciative to have a home," Hammond said. "There's nothing like a dog who went without food, water, a home, and a warm bed because they just love to snuggle. He was just in awe of having anything. Watching his evolution makes me emotional." From left: A tearful Alyssa Blackwell Hammond holds Tripp the foster dog indoors. From left: A tearful Alyssa Blackwell Hammond holds Tripp the foster dog indoors. @dogfostering101 / TikTok Having fostered 41 dogs, Hammond started documenting her experiences on social media (@dogfostering101 on TikTok and Instagram). Indeed, after sharing videos of Tripp coming out of his shell, she was stunned to see a comment from the woman who found him on the streets. Not much was known about Tripp's past, but, after connecting with his rescuer, Hammond finally learned about the dog's traumatic experience. She was informed that the scars all over Tripp's body were from a machete attack, leaving Hammond heartbroken. "It was one thing knowing that he was hit by a car as I could mentally prepare myself for that. But to find out that this dog I loved as my own for seven months, that someone cut him all down his body, that affected me on a new level," Hammond continued. Although the wounds have healed now, many of Tripp's scars are up to an inch wide, so Hammond said she wonders just how deep they must have been. She added that he was attacked by other dogs as he has additional scarring on his head. Seeing Tripp learn to trust and grow in confidence has been so rewarding. It took him several days to realize he was safe, but he has made such incredible strides since being fostered. It is important for Hammond to share every aspect of fostering on social media. After learning what Tripp went through as a street dog, she captured an emotional video of her processing the news. Just like Hammond, internet users were distraught for Tripp, and the video has gone viral with over 1 million views and more than 165,200 likes on TikTok at the time of writing. Hammond said: "I didn't think anyone cared about fostering and I didn't previously share the sad parts because there's enough sadness in the world. But what I realized is that people don't see this bond as sad. They see it as beautiful, and they're inspired by the connection we have. "It restores my faith in humanity to see people care about this little being that they have nothing to do with. This random street dog that no one cared about seven months ago was dying in a ditch, and now there are people checking on him," she continued. Following seven wonderful months with Hammond, Tripp has gone to his forever home. Fortunately, he has been adopted by a friend of a friend, so he will still be in Hammond's life. It was so special to see the connection he shares with his new owner, and Hammond knew "they were meant to be together." Saying goodbye to Tripp was emotional, but she said she found solace in knowing that she played such an important role in his recovery. Tripp has certainly left a mark on Hammond's heart, but she will continue to change lives through fostering. It remains such a necessary cause, with over 5.8 million cats and dogs winding up in U.S. shelters in 2024, according the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. While it was a happy ending for the 4.2 million shelter animals who were adopted, the same can't be said for the 607,000 animals who were euthanized last year. Hammond said she hopes that stories like Tripp's will inspire others to consider fostering a pet who needs a second chance. She added: "Places all over the world are in desperate need of fosters. And not just people who are willing to adopt, which is beautiful, but someone willing to love that dog short-term and be that safe space for them in between. If more people were willing to step up and love them for that period of time where they need someone, we could save so many animals." The clip explaining where Tripp's scars came from has generated over 4,400 comments on TikTok so far. Internet users were devastated for him, while others thanked Hammond for opening her home to him. One comment reads: "He will only know love from here on out. He will be the most spoiled baby." Another TikTok user wrote: "And still this baby cuddles a human's neck soaking in love, willing to give the human race another chance." A third person added: "Well, this shattered me. Thank you for loving him, he hit the jackpot." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
