George (dog)

George (died 29 April 2007) was a pet dog in Taranaki, New Zealand that was credited with sacrificing his life to save local children from a pit bull attack. George's heroism was internationally recognised, and he received posthumous awards from New Zealand and United Kingdom animal charities.

George
SpeciesCanis lupus familiaris
BreedJack Russell Terrier
SexMale
Died(2007-04-29)29 April 2007
Manaia, Taranaki, NZ
OwnerAlan Gay
ResidenceManaia, Taranaki, NZ
Height30 cm (1 ft 0 in)
Awards

Biography

A 30-centimetre (12 in)-tall Jack Russell Terrier[1] with "a heart condition", George lived in Manaia, Taranaki, New Zealand[2] with his owner, widower Alan Gay[3] (born 1937 or 1938).[4] George previously lived with Gay's neighbours, but they offered the dog to Gay when they moved away because "the dog spent so much time at his place."[2]

Defensive action

The Sydney Morning Herald and The New Zealand Herald reported that on 29 April 2007, five children in Manaia were walking home when they were attacked by two pit bulls. Nine-year-old (born 1997 or 1998) George defended the children, but was severely injured by the melee.[1] Gay's veterinarian recommended euthanising George, and while Gay reluctantly agreed with the course of action, he later came to regret the decision.[2] The pit bulls were also euthanised, and their owner "[faced] prosecution for owning dangerous and uncontrolled dogs."[1] Six months later, the Stratford Press reported that it had been one pit bull versus a 14-year-old (born 1992 or 1993) George protecting three children.[5] In February 2009, Sky News reported that George had been 14 years old when he faced off two pit bulls to defend five children aged 3–12.[3]

In the aftermath, George was praised and memorialised for his bravery and sacrifice. The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals awarded him a medal for bravery, the first awarded to a dog in 17 years, and the first non-police dog to ever receive it; Gay was to receive George's medal at the children's school. Jerrell Hudman, a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, was so impressed by George's actions, he told the Taranaki Herald that he would send Gay one of his three Purple Hearts.[1] In spring 2007, a bronze statue of George was unveiled in Manaia, the work of New Plymouth's Fridtjof Hanson.[5] In 2009, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals awarded George the PDSA Gold Medal, a decoration Sky News described as "the animal equivalent of the George Cross"; the medal was hung about the neck of George's statue by Anand Satyanand, then-Governor-General of New Zealand.[3]

References
  1. "Purple Heart for brave George". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 May 2007. ISSN 0312-6315. OCLC 226369741. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  2. Gregory, Angela (4 May 2007). "Global condolences for heroic hound". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  3. "Hero Dog Dies Fighting Pit Bulls". Sky News. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2019. A hero dog who lost his life trying to save a group of children from a Pit Bull attack has been awarded the top honour for pet bravery.
  4. Carney, Mike (2 May 2007). "Feisty Jack Russell dies after saving five children from marauding pit bulls". USA Today. ISSN 0734-7456. Archived from the original on 8 April 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  5. "A Jack Russell terrier named George". Stratford Press. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 7 November 2007. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
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