That's one brave little dog who saved several children. May he rest in peace. link WELLINGTON (AFP) - Nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier George is being honoured with a posthumous bravery medal for saving five New Zealand children from an attack by two pitbulls. ADVERTISEMENT The medal from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) comes after US Vietnam veteran Jerrell Hudman said he was sending his Purple Heart medal to George's owner after hearing of the dog's bravery. George, who had a heart problem, won fame after defending five children from the pitbulls in the small North Island town of Manaia a week and a half ago. The two pitbulls rushed at the five children on the street, prompting George to charge the much larger dogs as the children escaped. The Jack Russell was badly mauled by the two pitbulls and later had to be put down because of his extensive injuries. The two pitbulls were also put down. The SPCA medal is usually awarded to people for their bravery in defending animals. "George was a very brave little dog who almost certainly prevented severe injury, if not death, to at least one of the children," SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger said. "It's truly tragic that he paid with his own life for his instinctive act of courage." Hudman, 58, of Austin, Texas was a US Marine for 30 years and said he decided to send his Purple Heart to George's owner Alan Gay after reading the news on the Internet because the dog was "a little warrior". The Purple Heart is awarded to those killed or injured fighting for the US military.
This brings up another issue is whether most people should be allowed to own pitbulls. I don't think we should ban them but it seems like there are a lot of people who own pitbulls who don't really know how to handle them and people or other pets end up getting hurt by them.
I own a pit-mix. I'd say 50% pit-bull...the rest, who knows. This is an issue with all dogs. There are a few issues unique to pitbulls, but there are issues unique to other dogs as well. It is not about the breed, but about the owner, imo.
True I've never had problems with pits but I did get bit by a chow once while FEEDING him of all things and he was originally my puppy. I guess it didn't help that I used to chase him all around the house when he was a puppy. I deserved it
I would absolutely agree with this, unfortunately almost 100% of dog attacks you hear about are by pit bulls. I had 2 Westhighland Terriers that would attack almost anything that came near the house, but they calmed down pretty quick. But why some owner's choose not to secure their dogs (especially pitbulls) is the biggest question IMO. Heartwarming story though.
All dogs bite but most of the fatal and crippling maulings that I've heard about in the past 10 years have been with pitbulls. I'm willing to consider the possibility that this just happens to be bad press regarding pitbulls but it seems to me that pitbulls have a reputation for viciousness that is not undeserved. I agree that the owners should bear most of the blame but then at that point should we be preventing people who may be irresponsible owners from having pitbulls?
