http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070508...t_070508065307

Dog gets medal for saving kids

Tue May 8, 2:53 AM ET

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.


Copyright © 2007 Agence France Presse.