Barking Dog Saves Family From Home Invasion in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 6, 2025, at approximately 11:42 PM, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 2500 block of Flynn Lane in response to a reported home invasion in progress. Dispatch advised that the complainant, Jane Doe, reported that an unknown female, later identified as 38-year-old Ashley Watson, was attempting to force entry into her residence through the front door and was behaving erratically.  

Due to the urgency of the situation and the suspect's erratic behavior, the deputy requested assistance from the Missoula Police Department. An officer, who was in the area, arrived on scene shortly afterward and detained Watson as she was walking on Flynn Lane. 

The deputy arrived at the residence and made contact with the homeowners, Jane and John Doe, both of whom appeared visibly alarmed by the incident. John explained that he had been awakened by their dog barking at the front door. When he went downstairs to investigate, he opened the door and discovered an unknown female standing on the porch. He immediately shut and locked the door.  

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John then attempted to speak to the woman through the door, but she was incoherent and erratic. Jane, who had also been awakened, called 911. Watson continued yelling at John through the door, demanding to be let inside. At one point, she walked around the house into their fenced backyard, removed her shirt, and then returned to the front porch wearing only a bra and pants. 

John told Watson that the police were on their way. While still on the front porch, Watson grabbed and pulled at the Ring doorbell, damaging it. She also tore a screen off a window and banged on it in an apparent attempt to enter the residence. Watson eventually walked away from the property, yelling incoherently about children and dogs. This occurred shortly before the officer arrived and detained her.  

According to court documents, John expressed concern for the safety of his family, including his children who were asleep upstairs. He stated that had the window broken during Watson’s attempts to gain entry, he believed he would have been justified in using deadly force to protect his family.  

Jane provided several Ring camera videos documenting Watson’s erratic behavior and her attempted forced entry. After leaving the residence, the deputy met with the officer and took custody of Watson. She was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility without further incident. 

Watson is currently being charged with felony attempted burglary and her bond was set at $25,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.