Dog Fights Gator, Saves Woman and Wins Award
A dog who fought an alligator to protect an elderly woman was honored for his loyalty with a “dog hero of the year” award.
Two-year-old Blue, an Australian blue heeler from LaBelle, saved Ruth Gay, said the organizers of the annual Heinz Pet Products award.
Gay, 85, was taking the dog for an evening walk along a canal in July when she slipped and fell.
An alligator then climbed out of a nearby canal. Blue fended off the reptile despite suffering numerous puncture wounds. When Gay’s daughter and son-in-law arrived home about an hour later, Blue led them to where Gay was.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
