George (dog)
Encyclopedia
George, was a Jack Russell Terrier
from New Zealand
who was posthumously awarded a PDSA Gold Medal
in February 2009. He defended children from an attack by two Pit Bull
s but subsequently died of his injuries.
s. George intervened between the two other dogs and the children. Richard Rosewarne, who was one of the five children, said of the attack, "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".
The injuries inflicted on George were so severe that his owner, Allan Gay, needed to euthanise
him. The two Pit Bulls were surrendered by their owner to dog control officers, and they were subsequently euthanised.
The New Zealand Society for the Protection of Animals awarded George a bravery medal, presenting it to his owner at the school that the children attend. Vietnam War
veteran
Jerrell Hudman proposed that he would send one of the three Purple Heart
s he was awarded during his military service to honour George's memory, describing the dog as "a little warrior". His memory was commemorated with a bronze statue in Manaia, Taranaki, New Zealand.
In 2009, George was posthumously awarded a PDSA Gold Medal
(which has been called the animal equivalent of the George Cross
) by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. His owner was presented with the medal by Governor-General Anand Satyanand
in a ceremony at Manaia.
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
who was posthumously awarded a PDSA Gold Medal
PDSA Gold Medal
The PDSA Gold Medal is an animal bravery award that acknowledges the bravery and devotion to duty of animals. It was created by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals in 2001, and is now recognised as the animal equivalent of the George Cross...
in February 2009. He defended children from an attack by two Pit Bull
Pit bull
A Pit bull is any of several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group.Many jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, including Ontario, Canada,, Miami, Florida, U.S...
s but subsequently died of his injuries.
Biography
On Sunday, 29 April 2007, George was playing with a group of five children, aged between three and twelve years of age. As they returned home from a local shop, they were set upon by a pair of Pit BullPit bull
A Pit bull is any of several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group.Many jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, including Ontario, Canada,, Miami, Florida, U.S...
s. George intervened between the two other dogs and the children. Richard Rosewarne, who was one of the five children, said of the attack, "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".
The injuries inflicted on George were so severe that his owner, Allan Gay, needed to euthanise
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
him. The two Pit Bulls were surrendered by their owner to dog control officers, and they were subsequently euthanised.
The New Zealand Society for the Protection of Animals awarded George a bravery medal, presenting it to his owner at the school that the children attend. Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
Jerrell Hudman proposed that he would send one of the three Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s he was awarded during his military service to honour George's memory, describing the dog as "a little warrior". His memory was commemorated with a bronze statue in Manaia, Taranaki, New Zealand.
In 2009, George was posthumously awarded a PDSA Gold Medal
PDSA Gold Medal
The PDSA Gold Medal is an animal bravery award that acknowledges the bravery and devotion to duty of animals. It was created by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals in 2001, and is now recognised as the animal equivalent of the George Cross...
(which has been called the animal equivalent of the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
) by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. His owner was presented with the medal by Governor-General Anand Satyanand
Anand Satyanand
Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO, KStJ was the 19th Governor-General of New Zealand. He previously worked as a lawyer, judge and ombudsman.-Early life and family:...
in a ceremony at Manaia.