Burglar makes the mistake of choosing 22-stone mastiff's home

A burglar fled emptyhanded after he was tackled by a 22 stone, (308 pounds), English mastiff as he attempted to raid a garden shed.

Not only did the villain leave behind a lawnmower, he also had to abandon a vest that was badly shredded by the guard dog, Cromwell.


Photo from here.

The mastiff's owner, George Watson, was in the bath when he heard "a scream, a roar and a commotion from the back garden" of his home in Gordon, Berwickshire, where Cromwell had been quietly gnawing on a bone.

As he dashed outside in his towel he was just in time to see the thief driving off down the driveway in his van. The only evidence of the attempted break-in was the lawnmower, which had been taken from the shed and left by the gate, and the remains of the vest. He doubted that the man would return for a second attempt.