A Crystal Lake chihuahua that battled an owl earlier this year (and won) could be rewarded again for his resilience.
Chico won Veterinary Pet Insurance's Hambone Award in February for "most unusual" claim and is now back in the running, this time for the insurance company's big VPI Hambone Award.
In January, a Great Horned Owl swooped down on 3-year-old Chico and tried to snatch him off the ground while the pup and owner George Kalomiris were on a walk.
Chico suffered only bruises and scratches during the owl attack thanks to a doggie coat, and his family says he made a full recovery and is no longer afraid to go out at night.
In February, the pup's claim beat out more than 80,000 doggie competitors for the original Hambone nomination including a Labrador retriever that ate a marijuana cookie.
And he's off to a great start to win the top-dog award.
Voting has begun and is open to the public. Visit vpihamboneaward.com between Sept. 6 and Sept. 20 to cast your vote.
The Hambone Award is named for a dog that ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while stuck in a refrigerator.
