Dog who fought bull wins 2025 Hambone Award
Written by Angie Sharma on August 26, 2025
Nationwide Pet Insurance announced a California dog who faced off with a bull to protect his family is the winner of this year’s Hambone Award.
The Hambone Award, given annually for “the unexpected, the unusual and downright outrageous” ways pets find themselves in need of medical attention, was named in honor of a dog who ate an entire holiday ham while trapped in a refrigerator.
This year’s winner is Ziya, a Belgian malinois who stepped between his owner, Tim, and a rampaging bull during a walk in northern California.
“While his owners escaped to safety, the bull struck Ziya in the jaw, dislodging a tooth and sending him to the emergency vet,” Nationwide said in a news release. “Thanks to expert veterinary care, Ziya made a full recovery and now hopes that future walks will not involve horned adversaries.”
Ziya was chosen as the winner in an online vote, besting a field of nine other finalists.
Source : UPI news
