Service Dog Steps in Front of Bus to Protect Blind Owner
BREWSTER, N.Y., June 10 (UPI) — A service dog in update New York has been hailed a hero after he positioned himself in front of an oncoming school bus to protect his blind owner.
Golden retriever Fido was guiding Audrey Stone, 62, across the street in Brewster, N.Y., on Monday, when a mini school bus started barreling toward them.
Brewster Police Chief John Del Gardo told the Putnam County Courier that Fido threw himself between his owner and the bus just before it hit them.
“[Fido] took the brunt of the impact,” Del Gardo said.
Fido suffered leg injuries and underwent emergency surgery at a local veterinary clinic. Stone sustained non-life-threatening injuries to her head, ribs and elbow.
Witness Paul Schwartz told the Journal News that Fido tried to stay and protect his owner even after he was injured.
“There were 15 EMTs and people all around her and the dog didn’t want to leave her side,” Schwartz said. “He was flopping over to her and she didn’t want him to get away from her, either.”
The bus driver received a summons for failure to yield to a pedestrian.
