According to the Billings Gazette, Matthew Bessler and Mike, a Belgian Malinois, served together in the U.S. Army during two tours in Iraq. Bessler adopted the bomb-sniffing dog when they returned home to help him cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, USA Today reports. Nine-year-old Mike also suffered from PTSD.
"I raised him and trained him as a puppy, and the ability he has to sense some of the issues that I have with seizures, with my PTSD, my TBI (traumatic brain injury) and severe anxiety disorders, how he can calm me down just by him being in my presence," Bessler told the Gazette. "He can help take the focus and help change the focus of what's going on with me and help me calm down or relax me."
According to the Powell Tribune, Bessler was out of town last Saturday when the man rode past Bessler's property. The bicyclist told police that the dog attacked him, and he had to use his bike as a shield. He eventually grabbed his revolver and shot the dog, which ran away, police said. The man was not injured.
Bessler said he doubts the bicyclist is telling the truth because the dog was shot in the rear.
"In my mind, it's inconsistent with a dog that's attacking somebody," Bessler told the Tribune.
For now, Bessler is collecting money to give Mike a burial with military honors. A GoFundMe page titled "RIP Major Mike – Hero Service Dog" has raised more than $10,770.
"We are a community coming together to mourn the loss of a brave military service dog who deserves the honor to be laid to rest with a military funeral and burial. ... Please help us fund a funeral that will do this military war veteran the respect he deserves." the page reads.
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