A 9-year-old boxer did everything she could to save her owner from a fatal basement fire in Goshen Township, Ohio last week.

Firefighters found the dog, Carmen, trying to save the life of her owner, Ben Ledford, in a smoke-filled basement.

"When the fire department did get to Ben, his dog was (lying) over his face protecting him," neighbor Ron Mitchell said.

The boxer is in a veterinary hospital in Cincinnati and has suffered severe lung damage. She was taken off a ventilator on Sunday and is fighting for her life.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com