Eight-year-old Marley ran toward the back door and began growling and barking. The Newsoms couldn’t see anything since it was dark but heard Marley barking and went to see what was wrong.
When they turned on the hall light, they saw Pham standing with a knife. Pham managed to stab Taylor Newsom in the arm and slash Marley. Marley then bit Pham and chased him out of the house.
The family’s six-year-old and four-year-old children remained unharmed in their rooms thanks to Marley’s quick actions.
“She’s our hero. If it hadn’t been for her, that guy could’ve gone to their rooms or something,” the Newsoms told KDFM. “The story plays out very differently if Marley’s not there.”
Taylor and Marley were treated for their injuries and expected to recover fully.
The police eventually found Pham hiding near a creek and arrested him. He was charged with animal cruelty and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
