“Dog bites man” is rarely newsworthy. But a “dog bites chainsaw, chainsaw bites back” incident involving a Belleville, Ill., West Highland terrier was named the “most unusual” claim received in June by the nation’s biggest pet insurance company.

Barbara Abell’s 2-year-old Westie, Darci, lunged at a buzzing chainsaw recently, getting a little too close and tearing two holes in its upper lip. The accident required surgery, and Abell submitted a $339 claim to Veterinary Pet Insurance, which paid $148.

It was one of more than 8,000 claims received in June by VPI, an arm of Nationwide Insurance. Get the full story »