Puppy Recovering From Gunshot in Home Invasion That Killed Owner

A puppy that was shot while trying to protect his owner during a deadly home invasion is on the mend.

It happened in Pennsport earlier this month.

Now the dog has the face of a hero. A friendly, loyal, and now, healthy, hero after spending some time at the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in South Philadelphia.

Rhino, a resilient seven-month old Boxer-Pitbull mix, took a bullet to his leg two weeks ago.

Doctors say he was trying to protect his owner when someone broke into their house and opened fire.

Ivory Poinsett's brother, 41-year-old Nakia Pyatt was killed during the home invasion.

Poinsett says Rhino meant the world to him, and his memory will now live on in this heroic pup.

"They said he's a normal boy again," Ivory said of Rhino.

Helen Duncan says Pyatt lived with her on the 4600 block of Penn Street in Frankford.

She wasn't home the night of the shooting, but she wants answer and justice for her friend.

"He did more for me than my own kids. It don't make no sense. It don't make no sense why the good ones go first," Duncan said.

Pyatt was well liked on the block, and his friends and neighbors can't make sense of his murder.

"He was one of those gentle souls, always pleasant," neighbor Donald James//victim's neighbor

Pyatt's friends and family members are hopeful that police will track down his killer.

For now, they feel comfort in knowing that a very strong and special piece of their loved one remains.