Robber Breaks Into Home, Gets Attacked by Pet Squirrel

It's always comforting to know you've got your trusty guard dog to watch the house while you and the family are out for the day.

But what if you don't have a dog, or even a cat?

Would an attack squirrel do instead? One would-be intruder found out first hand earlier this week.

A man named Adam Pearl returned to his Meridian, Idaho home Tuesday and instantly noticed that things seemed out of place.

I came in the front door and I saw snow prints out in the front driveway going to the back of the house, so I thought something was awry because no one usually goes through the yard.

When Pearl took a closer look around the house he noticed someone had been near his gun safe. He called the local police who came to investigate.

It was during the police investigation when they met Joey. Joey is Adam's pet squirrel, and a pretty ornery one at that.

The officer continued her on with her investigation, and when she nabbed the suspect a few hours later she couldn't help but notice the scratch marks all over the alleged burglar's hands.

Seems Joey took issue with the unwelcome guest. Joey's owner said:

She said while she was questioning the individual he had scratches on his hands so she asked him 'did you get that from the squirrel' and he says yeah, damn thing kept attacking me and wouldn't stop until I left.

KIVI is reporting that the pet attack squirrel is now being hailed as a hero.