Authorities said a dog was shot and killed during a road-rage incident Friday in Atlanta and now witnesses are crediting the German Shepherd with saving the lives of his owners.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Hobart Austin said he was a passenger in a Chevrolet Suburban when a driver in a Ford Taurus almost hit the car he was in. He then said that an argument with the other driver ensued.

According to WXIA, the person behind the wheel of the Taurus followed the Suburban to a nearby strip mall and threatened Austin before firing several shots into the vehicle.

Three children, their mother and the family dog named Noah, were all inside the car when bullets shot through the windows.

Austin, the mother and the juveniles were not injured, however, Noah was hit with one of the bullets.

"The dog took the bullet for the kids so the kids would be safe," said one of the witnesses.

Unfortunately, Noah died at the scene.

"They were fired upon and their family was terrorized," Atlanta police Sgt.Gregory Lyon said. "They survived that only to find that their pet is now gone. It's sad for the whole family, especially the day after Thanksgiving."

So far, no arrest have been made.