While it may not be the safest practice, car chasing is a hobby many dogs, including 3-year-old boxer Jojo, seem to enjoy. Catching a car, however, is pretty much never a pleasant experience for a dog, especially when that car is a several ton delivery truck.
“I don’t know what Jojo was thinking when he bit that tire,” said Rebekah Hodges of Jacksonville, Fla. “The delivery truck wasn’t moving fast, just pulling out of the driveway, but I guess it doesn’t take much to tear out a tooth. Surprisingly, he seemed fine. If I hadn’t seen the blood on the ground, I might not have thought anything was wrong. I inspected his jaw and pulled his lip back. That’s when I noticed his lower canine tooth sticking out. It looked like the front of the tooth was still attached, but the back was torn out and you could see a hole in his jaw. The tooth itself was parallel to his jaw.”
Hodges immediately brought Jojo to the emergency room, where a veterinarian cleaned the wound, repositioned the tooth and used wire to brace it in place against the surrounding teeth. To make sure that no other damage was sustained in the accident, Jojo also had dental X-rays taken at the University of Florida. All the veterinarians who treated Jojo told Hodges they had never seen an injury quite like his before.
“They had seen dogs break teeth from biting objects, but never one that actually bit a moving tire,” said Hodges. “I guess it’s one of those things that you hear about, but you don’t see it happen very often. They said he was really lucky. He had no cuts or other breaks, and he was able to keep the tooth. The veterinarians did a phenomenal job and Jojo recovered in no time, but I don’t think he’ll be biting any tires anymore.”
10:48 pm
I worked for Vets for 20 years & this is a new one on me…
10:49 pm
Was this a brown UPS truck? My cousin’s dog, a rottweiler, was in the front yard with her while she was cleaning a bird bath and the UPS truck came down the street and her rottweiler took off after the truck and bit the tire, but luckily wasn’t hurt. The UPS driver told my cousin that many dogs hate their trucks.. so much so that UPS did a study on it and they think it’s because of the brown color. I’m skeptical of that idea.. but just don’t know why they hate those trucks.
10:49 pm
God I love a Boxer!
10:50 pm
I loved Jojo’s picture. I also have a five year old female box, named Queen who also loves chasing anything that moves. We boxer lovers know we will do anything to keep our four leg animals safe and healthy.
10:51 pm
I’m glad everything turned out ok with Jojo. I have a female boxer and she provides hours of comic relief. Boxers are great dogs!!
10:51 pm
Jojo really caught the truck??!! Boy he is one lucky doggie it only involved one tooth. Bet he doesn’t try that again. May I suggest telling him not to do that again (haha). Does he still have his braces? Thank goodness for good Vets and good insurance that helps pet owners take better care of their children.
10:52 pm
I have a Yorkie, She goes nuts passing a Brown UPS Truck and Amish Carts. I believe it is the Brown. Even when they come to the door to deliver, it sends her in a frizzy. Glad Jojo is doing well.
11:03 pm
This is a good reminder that dogs should never be off-leash near moving vehicles, even in one’s own yard. So many beautiful dogs in our neighborhood have been killed in front of their own houses by cars- and tangentially by the decisions made by well-intentioned, loving owners who didn’t think about the possible dangers in their pet’s environment. I’m very glad that Jojo’s injuries were comparatively minor and that he has recovered fully. (And I hope Jojo no longer runs so freely that vehicles are a continuing danger.)
11:03 pm
Go Jojo!!!!!
11:04 pm
I LOVE my Boxer!!! Yes it was a UPS truck. JoJo had to wear braces for about 10 months, and fortunately the fractures healed & the tooth was saved. He doesn’t chase the UPS truck anymore, nor does he play with the toy tire my parents bought him (just in case he got the urge again).
We had a wireless fence that encompassed the front and backyard, so JoJo would have plenty of room to run and play. Now is only allowed in the front yard if he’s on a leash. JoJo still has a big \fenced\” backyard.
11:06 pm
I too have a male boxer, he is to joy of my life, never a dull moment with him around always acting like a clown when he is in his playful mood, and a smoocher and cuddler when he is feeling the need for a little lovin. Best dogs ever.
11:07 pm
I have a 3yr old male boxer, and he also loves the UPS trucks. One time he chased the truck all the way down to the end of the street, and got down in front of the truck with his butt up in the air wanting to play. When the driver got out to deliver, he jumped in the drivers seat ready to go. Boxer’s are always full of entertainment.