A Jack Russell terrier has died after saving five children from a mauling by two savage pitbulls.
The tiny dog, called George, leapt to the defence of the children when the two rogue pitbulls threatened them on the way to a dairy in the Taranaki township of Manaia.
Richard Rosewarne, 11, said the pitbulls came up behind them and were going for his brother Darryl Wilson, 4.
“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,” he told the Taranaki Daily News.
“We ran off crying and some people saw what was happening and rescued George.”
But nine-year-old George was so badly ripped apart he had to be put down.