Hilarious Moment Rescue Dog Furiously Protects Family From Unexpected Enemy

Dogs are a human's best friend for a reason: constant companionship, fierce loyalty and willingness to protect you from any threat. For one rescue West Highland white terrier, that "threat" includes images of tortoises on television.

Luke, 20, lives in Kent, U.K., with his two Westies, female Doris and male Hamish, and told Newsweek of the latter: "He hates animals on the telly."

A video showing Hamish's complete distrust for other animals onscreen was shared to Luke's TikTok account @the.doris.diaries on June 3, and it has been viewed close to 150,000 times.

In the video, a montage of tortoises eating, walking and just generally existing plays on TV, while Hamish first attacks a toy, and then jumps up at the TV, growling and barking as Luke laughs in the background.

Doris, meanwhile, completely ignores the tortoises and Hamish, and totters around in a relaxed manner.

Luke told Newsweek that 6-year-old Hamish, whom they rescued at 18 months old, can also be "a bit funny around animals in person, so we keep a close eye on him."

"He's very affectionate and loves a cuddle," Luke said, adding that Doris is the most easygoing dog, who, unlike her brother, is "fine with all animals and is really friendly."

West Highland white terriers are popular family pets across much of the world, and in the United States, they were the 43rd most-popular breed in 2023, according to data from the American Kennel Club.

Described by the AKC as very affectionate with family and good with young children, Westies are known for being smart, confident and entertaining. They were originally bred as rodent hunters, and are still independent and self-reliant, as seen in Luke's viral video.

TikTok users were in stitches at Hamish's reaction to the TV, with one joking he was "taking it out on the teddy."

Another wrote their Westie did the same thing: "I had to put the TV on the wall."

A third user posted that Hamish must have been "savaged by a tortoise in a past life."

Luke told Newsweek that both Hamish and Doris are unique and have "absolutely crazy personalities, which makes them even more special."

"So I wasn't too surprised that they've gone viral as they're just funny dogs," their owner added.

"I'm really happy with the reaction people have had, and they seem to get a good laugh out of it!"

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.