Dog dials 911 to get help for owner

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Police say a service dog trained to use the phone called 911 and got help when his Scottsdale, Ariz., owner suffered a serious seizure.

Buddy, an 18-month-old German shepherd, used his teeth to press programmed buttons until a 911 dispatcher came on the line, The Arizona Republic reported Sunday.

Buddy can be heard whimpering in a recording of the call placed Wednesday from the home of Joe Stalnaker, who suffers seizures from injuries received during military service, the Republic reported.

Buddy was trained to retrieve the phone and call 911 with his teeth when Stalnaker blacks out, the Republic reported, noting Buddy previously had made three or four 911 calls for other emergencies.

"He's my world. He's my best friend, no question. He's always there," said Stalnaker, who was hospitalized for two days but has recovered.