Tiny terrier fights off pit bulls, saves kids

**Grimmlok** · May 2nd, 2007, 10:47 AM

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A plucky Jack Russell terrier named George saved five children from two marauding pit bulls, but was so severely mauled in the fight that it had to be put down, its owner said Wednesday.

George was playing with the group of children as they returned home from buying sweets at a neighborhood shop in the small North Island town of Manaia last Sunday when the two pit bulls appeared and lunged toward them, Allan Gay said.

"George was brave -- he took them on and he's not even a foot high," Gay told The Associated Press. "He jumped in on them, he tried to keep them off.

"If it wasn't for George, those kids would have copped it."

One of the children, Richard Rosewarne, 11, was quoted in the Taranaki Daily News on Wednesday as saying George fought with the pit bulls to keep them off his 4-year-old brother, Darryl.

"George tried to protect us by barking and rushing at them, but they started to bite him -- one on the head and the other on the back," Rosewarne said. "We ran off crying and some people saw what was happening and rescued George."

But George was so badly mauled that a veterinarian had to put him down, Gay said.

South Taranaki District Council official Graham Young said the two pit bulls had been impounded, and likely would be put down because of the attack.

In New Zealand, owners of dogs judged to be too aggressive can be required to have them neutered and dogs involved in attacks are destroyed.

Tiny terrier saved kids from pit bulls - CNN.com

Aww... good for him though.. still.. aww.

**shedevilang** · May 2nd, 2007, 10:49 AM

aww poor pup

**Aella** · May 2nd, 2007, 11:31 AM

Damn. I was having a bad day anyway, and this story reduced me to tears. Poor, brave doggie.

**McJag** · May 2nd, 2007, 01:11 PM

Sweet little darling. Bless him. The 4 year old couldn't have made it.His parents should build a memorial.

**Elisa** · May 2nd, 2007, 06:18 PM

I've never had a pet in my life so I never used to 'get' people's attachment to them, etc. Now I get it. This story actually broke my heart.

**Grimmlok** · May 2nd, 2007, 06:29 PM

They're like little cute people that love you unconditionally, with none of the duplicity of people... they dont care what you look like, how much money you have, and what you say. All they want is your affection.

**Lucky32** · May 2nd, 2007, 07:13 PM

I never understood either how people could get attached until I got a dog. Dear God, she is like a little person. I now have a greater love for all animals. Poor little George was doing what was instinctive to him and that was to protect the people he loves.

**rsauten** · May 2nd, 2007, 09:17 PM

Superhero dog!! He was so brave. Those kids were lucky to have him there...

**Reptillycus** · May 2nd, 2007, 11:22 PM

What a brave wonderful little dog. If more people were like this little guy, this would be a better place.

**A*O** · May 2nd, 2007, 11:26 PM

I wonder why we don't ever hear stories about vicious Jack Russell terriers attacking defenceless kiddies and then being fought off by a plucky pitbull.