Nationwide Pet Insurance announced a California dog who faced off with a bull to protect his family is the winner of this year’s Hambone Award.
The Hambone Award, given annually for “the unexpected, the unusual and downright outrageous” ways pets find themselves in need of medical attention, was named in honor of a dog who ate an entire holiday ham while trapped in a refrigerator.
This year’s winner is Ziya, a Belgian malinois who stepped between his owner, Tim, and a rampaging bull during a walk in northern California.
“While his owners escaped to safety, the bull struck Ziya in the jaw, dislodging a tooth and sending him to the emergency vet,” Nationwide said in a news release. “Thanks to expert veterinary care, Ziya made a full recovery and now hopes that future walks will not involve horned adversaries.”
Ziya was chosen as the winner in an online vote, besting a field of nine other finalists.
“Tim’s bond with Ziya enabled them to take turns caring for each other when a bull unexpectedly joined their morning walk,” said Emily Tincher, chief veterinary officer at Nationwide. “Thanks to the care provided by Ziya’s veterinary team and the protection provided by Nationwide pet insurance, this story of unexpected trauma has a happy ending!”
The runners-up were Duke, an Ohio lab mix who swallowed an entire spatula head while licking peanut butter, and Foxtrot, a Texas Great Dane who stole a turkey leg and swallowed it whole.
