Topeka ? A Topeka family’s dog has been fatally shot after apparently trying to keep a burglar away from its owner’s home.

WIBW reports the incident happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday when a man tried to get into the home through the backyard and came upon the 8-year-old Akita.

Police say the suspect fired two shots and killed the dog before fleeing in an unknown vehicle.

The dog’s owner, Chris Dykes, says he heard the gunshots and ran into the backyard, where he found the dog wounded.

Police say they have no description of the suspect.