We all love a good story about an underdog, mostly because these tales usually involve unlikely heroes who can be found in some of the most unexpected places. Well, folks, this story is no exception. And the unlikely hero of this story epitomizes the term “underdog.” An incredibly brave little dachshund took on a much bigger bullmastiff after the bigger animal tried to drag an utterly terrified, 11-year old girl down the street by her arm.
Unfortunately, this story doesn’t have a happy ending for the tiny hero, who ended up making the ultimate sacrifice to protect the little girl. However, his memory now lives on in everybody inspired by this brave pup’s story.
Police in the northern Serbian town of Pancevo reported that violent mastiff, who was usually kept inside a cage, managed to get free while its owner was away.
It then ran right into the street where it viciously attacked an unsuspecting little girl, who at the time was playing on her roller skates. The animal started bitting her arms and legs while trying to drag the screaming child back to its cage.
As the helpless little girl cried for help, a man was nearby walking his little dachshund named Leo. The small dog wasted no time in running over to assist the child and even started bitting the massive on the leg, sparking a fight between the two animals.
Sadly, brave little Leo was fatally wounded. However, thanks to his heroic intervention, the little girl, whose name is Sofia Vucetic, was able to escape with only minor injuries.
According to an eyewitnessed named Millca Panajotovic:
‘The girl spotted the dog running towards her because it was barking, but she had no chance to get away, and it knocked her flying…”
“…It then grabbed her arms and legs and was biting her and then started to drag her by the arm back to its cage.
I was just struck dumb and unable to move, and there was a man walking his Dachshund as well who seemed frozen to the spot.
But his dog which was off the lead when it saw what was happening ran over and started barking at the bigger dog, and then tried to bite it on the leg.
This distracted the mastiff that turned around and started fighting with the dachshund. Of course, it wasn’t a very even battle and the Dachshund was badly wounded.”
“…But the child managed to get away from the mastiff while it was attacking the Dachshund.”
As other witnesses appeared on the scene, a few people rushed the child away to safety. While three other men grabbed sticks and tried to use them to fight off the out-of-control mastiff.
They eventually managed to recover Leo, but by that point, the pup had sustained severe injuries. And even though the local vet was called to perform an emergency operation, sadly he was unable to save the four-legged hero.
Leo’s owner said:
“Everybody loved Leo, he was so kind and playful. We will miss him terribly, but will always remember he saved a child’s life. He really is a hero dog. He will never be forgotten…”
What a hero!
The injured girl’s mother had this to say:
“My daughter Sofia was very scared and traumatized. Her left hand was all bitten. It was horrible.
She was very shaken up. The dog pulled her around like a rag doll, banging her around.
I can only imagine what could have happened if that little dog was not that brave. We were praying for the dog. He saved our daughter’s life.”
In honor of Leo’s incredible sacrifice, the neighbors got together and put up a memorial in his memory. They wanted people always to remember this pup’s brave sacrifice, which led to a child’s life being saved.
One neighbor said:
“We want to make sure the dog is honored. If the dog had not jumped to the rescue the little girl could have been killed.”
Dachshunds are known to be very playful, but as hunting dogs, they can be quite determined. They are also known for their propensity for chasing birds, small animals, and tennis balls with determination and ferocity.
What did you think of Leo’s story? Let us know in the comments section, and please be sure to share this brave pup’s story.