The Helen Woodward Animal Center said the 2-year-old poodle-Maltese mix dog named Sophie was injured after she spotted coyote in the family’s backyard in East County. The dog’s family said that they heard a cry and ran out to see Sophie step in front the family puppy to protect it from the coyote.

The family told the animal center than they were able to scare the coyote away, but Sophie sustained bites to the neck, shoulder and side. The puppy was unharmed.

A veterinarian stitched Sophie’s wounds and gave her medicine. The family then decided that their home’s location near wildlife might be a threat to the dog and puppy’s safety, so they surrendered the animals to the Helen Woodward Animal Center last week.

The puppy, Lulu, was adopted shortly after, but now Sophie is looking for a new home.

The animal center said she will be available for adopted in about two weeks. For more information, visit the center’s website.