George gave his all....

[Danny Tse]

to protect 5 kids from 2 pitbulls

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/nzealandanimalsoffbeat

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.

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.

[jflail2]

Wow. I had read the initial story last week, and was very upset the little guy didn't make it. If only the average person had that much courage....

God bless a Marine that would send on his purple heart like that. Hopefully the children of the family will heal soon as well.

Good read, thx Danny.

[Danny Tse]

No problem, jflail2. I totally agree with your sentiments.

[dudeinaroom]

Poor little guy. If I was there I would have rushed in too.

[shawn474]

We have a Jack Russell at home and the dog is awesome; she is ultra kid friendly and has been attacked twice by much larger dogs while they were off leash in our neighborhood. She is one tough puppy.

Amazing story about an amazing dog. May George r.i.p.

Shawn

[Bill Ayotte]

Small dogs like the Jack Russel and the Westie think they are much bigger than they really are....My westie passed about two months ago after a long life of 17 years, and until they day she was put down she commanded the Yellow Lab around the house, and in general life....God is the Lab lost without her....She looks for the westie in the house every morning still...My mom is going crazy trying to deal with her...

[MacLeod]

I hate pit bulls.

There is this idiot here in the apartment complex that takes his out for a walk and he literally drags his owner around who can barely hold on to him. You can tell by the dogs behavior that he's just itching for something to charge down and kill. I have a little cat and if a dog like that ever got loose and killed my cat, Id kill not only the dog but the owner.

It should be illegal to own snakes and pit bulls. I know its not really the animals fault, theyre stupid and just doing what comes naturally but unfortunately the kinds of people that own animals like that are usually way more stupid than the animals and have no business owning them.

[janmike]

I hate pit bulls.

There is this idiot here in the apartment complex that takes his out for a walk and he literally drags his owner around who can barely hold on to him. You can tell by the dogs behavior that he's just itching for something to charge down and kill. I have a little cat and if a dog like that ever got loose and killed my cat, Id kill not only the dog but the owner.

It should be illegal to own snakes and pit bulls. I know its not really the animals fault, theyre stupid and just doing what comes naturally but unfortunately the kinds of people that own animals like that are usually way more stupid than the animals and have no business owning them.

Dead On!

I hope little George is kicking their ass in the after world.

[F1nut]

Dead on +1

I've said it before and I'll say it again, all pitbulls should be shot dead.

[ViperZ]

Got to disagree here, people. As much as I dislike pitbulls (and bull terriers, from which they were derived), it's the owner who is first and foremost responsible for the dog's training and behaviour.

If pitbulls are so bad, they should be BANNED (and they ARE banned in Toronto). The idiot owners should be jailed for those pitbull attacks.

[shawn474]

Actually, pit bulls are banned in a lot of individual counties and cities and some states have passed preliminary legislation to ban the breed. More and more counties are banning them and for good reason IMO. You hear the same story over and over - kid is attacked by pit bull (permanently mamed or killed) and family comes on tv saying that Sparky was NEVER aggressive and that he never bit anyone. There is something in that BREED of dog. If owners being aholes were the only predictor of bad / aggressive behavior in dogs, I know plenty of labs and ****-zu's that would be ripping people's faces off.

Shawn

[marker]

I don't see how anyone wouldn't be touched by this story.

The article said George didn't have a good heart. On the contrary, he was ALL heart! This would prolly be about the equivalent to a 63 year old man with a weak ticker who is barely over 5' tall and 100 lbs. soaking wet jumping on 2 guys as big as Shaq to save somebody.

[zombie boy 2000]

Small dogs like the Jack Russel and the Westie think they are much bigger than they really are....

I couldn't agree more. My dad has three Great Danes and a Jack Russell and you can rest assured, the latter rules the roost and then some:D

[dragon1952]

I'll be tipping a cold one for ole George tonite....may he RIP.

[tonyb]

Exactly what man's best friend is suppose to do.
Will also tip a cold one to 'ol George.

For those who don't know the companionship of a good dog...
your missing one of lifes simple pleasures.

[MacLeod]

For those who don't know the companionship of a good dog...
your missing one of lifes simple pleasures.

Definitely!!!

I cant wait til we get a house so I can get a dog. Before we even buy furniture Im getting a dog......well maybe after I put together a home theater. :D

I want a German Shepherd! Best dogs in the world!

[cfrizz]

PICS!!!!!:D

Definitely!!!

I cant wait til we get a house so I can get a dog. Before we even buy furniture Im getting a dog......well maybe after I put together a home theater. :D

I want a German Shepherd! Best dogs in the world!

[tonyb]

Definitely!!!

I cant wait til we get a house so I can get a dog. Before we even buy furniture Im getting a dog......well maybe after I put together a home theater. :D

I want a German Shepherd! Best dogs in the world!

Good choice,I have a white GS,and he's my son.Boy will I cry the day he
goes.German shepards are also fantastic around kids,even ones they don't know.Good luck to you and get training,and socialize him as much as you can.
They are not dogs for couch potatoes.

[MSALLA]

This is a great story, although very sad. As far as the opinion on pitts,you guys are way off base. I have had many dogs and many breeds. Pitts raised in a happy home are some of the best dogs to have. That shepherd Macleod wants is a smart and loyal dog but put one in the hands of a bad owner and it will make a pitt look like a kids toy. There is no bad breed. Only bad owners and bad breeding.

[cfrizz]

Any dog will turn mean that's been abused. What needs to happen is to not only destroy the dog, but make the owner of the dog pay through the nose for all damages & ordered NOT to get ANY dog, or face jail!

[liordra]

Any dog will turn mean that's been abused. What needs to happen is to not only destroy the dog, but make the owner of the dog pay through the nose for all damages & ordered NOT to get ANY dog, or face jail!

No doubt.

[wingnut4772]

Awww... poor little doggie. That brought tears to my eyes. I have two Rat Terriers and I would be distraught if anything happened to them. Here's to George!