A pet dog in China is going viral after heroically saving her owner from a venomous pit viper.

The brave Shiba Inu, named Hetao, jumped in front of a short-tailed Mamushi viper in their garden, taking the bite herself and preventing her owner from being seriously injured.

The incident happened on the morning of August 29, when Hetao’s owner, Meng, heard her dogs barking outside. 

Rushing to the garden, she saw the snake coiled and ready to strike, but before it could, Hetao jumped forward and was bitten on the face. Within minutes, her head began to swell.

Panicked, Meng and her husband rushed Hetao to the nearest veterinary clinic, only to discover that no antidote was available. 

While Meng stayed by Hetao’s side to monitor her condition, her husband drove hours to Beijing to find the life-saving snakebite medicine they needed.

Fortunately, her husband was able to find an antidote and quickly gave it to Hetao. They then went home and stayed by her side for the entire night. 

By morning, Hetao was brought back to the clinic for further treatment. Gradually, the swelling subsided, and her strength began to return.

After a week, Hetao recovered back to full health. “She risked her life to save me. I did everything to save her,” Meng said

“Everything we did was so we could keep each other company in the future,” she said, adding that she would spare no effort to protect her dogs because they are her family.

Watch video here.