Brave chihuahua chases off gunmen

Jul 19, 2011, 15:43 GMT

Los Angeles - The US has a new superhero - a diminutive chihuahua named Paco who chased off two armed robbers attempting to hold up a smoke shop in the gritty Los Angeles suburb of Altadena.

Video of the brave pooch was released by Los Angeles sheriffs on Monday, showing two armed and hooded men running into the store on July 7 and demanding money.

'Hurry up! Give us the money!' one of the masked men shouted. 'Get on the ground! Put the money in here!'

As the owner quickly fills their backpack with cash Paco begins yapping loudly and jumping at the robbers. Instinctively the two thugs back away before reentering the store, pointing their gun at Paco. But the tiny dog, which weighs less than 5 kilogrammes, persisted in his guard duties and chases them out of the store and down the street.

Police said the thieves made off with 200 dollars, but would have snagged more money were it not for the pooch.

The shop's owner, Eric Knight described Paco as being friendly and quiet, and a well known wanderer of the neighbourhood.

'I was shocked to see what he did, especially running across the street was amazing,' Knight said in an interview Tuesday with ABC.

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