Pit bull mix honored as hero - scared away a San Jose woman's attacker

[The Straight Story]

Pit bull mix honored as hero

pic1.jpg A 5-year-old pit bull mix that scared away a San Jose woman's attacker has been honored by the Animal Miracle Foundation as its Hero Dog of 2008.

The 25-pound mutt, named Maya, "is a testament to the fact that the pit bull breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed," Colleen Paige, founder of the group, said in a statement.

Based in Washington. The foundation is a nonprofit that works to improve public awareness about pet and wildlife issues. It sponsors National Dog Day on Aug. 26 and National Mutt Day on Dec. 2 to highlight the high number of dogs in shelters that need homes.

Angela Marcelino, who adopted Maya from her local Humane Society when the dog was 3 months old, said she was attacked at her front door one morning in June.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2008/01/pit_bull_mixed_honored_as_hero.html

[Mojambo]

1. Talk about some badly needed PR. n/t

[RadiationTherapy]

2. 25 pounds? Hardly the kind of 'pitter' that gets the negative press. n/t

[Mythsaje]

3. Of course!

One of our former fosters, one of the biggest pit mixes I've ever seen, is now a therapy dog and a recipient of a canine good citizenship award. A nearly hundred pound lap dog who loves people--adults, kids, whatever. We released him back to the Pit Bull rep after having him nearly a year and almost three years later my wife was greeted by a woman who didn't understand WHAT had gotten into him when he broke away from his owner and jumped up on my wife in sheer joy at seeing her.

Dogs are individuals, just like people.

[The Straight Story]

4. I think you said it best

"Dogs are individuals, just like people."

Indeed.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Good for Maya..and for all Pit Bulls. All the ones I know are very sweet.

It is a pretty good bet that the "bad" ones were made that way by a cruel and stupid owner.

[Rob H.]

6. Great story

The woman's story is good, too.

His grip was so tight that I could only gurgle the words “Maya, get him.” He still had a grip on my throat, as his other hand was busy trying to fight off my angry dog. I don’t know how, but I managed to get on my feet.

His attention turned away from Maya for a second so that he could push my front door open and she followed. At that point I grabbed him in the groin as hard as I could. He doubled over and released the grip around my neck. I pushed him away and grabbed Maya by the collar. I like to think, at that moment, he told himself he had picked the wrong woman to mess with. He looked at me one last time, only for a second, and then simply walked away. I waited and followed him from a distance just in case he decided he wasn’t done yet. (Emphases added.)

Hell, yeah, he picked the wrong woman to mess with--if her dog doesn't get you, her kung fu grip will! :D

[VotesForWomen]

7. i know my pit bull has scared a lot of people away. :) nt