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Show Page 4 The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume II, Issue III December 1999 Four-Legged Hero Rescues Boy By BARBIE SUNDERLAND Ogden Valley News Staff The quick action of Porter, a Labrador retriever and Australian shepherd mix, saved a 7-year-old boy from further injury by fending off an attacking dog, becoming a hero in the eyes of the Christopher Brown family. Andrew Brown wasn’t severely injured, but he did receive four serious bites in the October 31 assault, two that required stitches. Porter the four-legged hero. Andrew was playing with friends in a neighbor’s sand box when another dog from the neighborhood, a black chow, began acting aggressive and attacked Andrew’s cocker spaniel, Buddy. Buddy broke free from the dog and ran away unharmed. The chow then turned and targeted his aggression toward Andrew. Uncomfortable with the situation, Andrew began to run. As he was running away, the chow attacked him. The Sauer’s were in their basement family room when they saw the dog running after Andrew. They jumped out their basement window and ran toward the boy and the dog. Porter, an eight-year member of the Sauer family, was already on the move reaching Andrew first. According to Kim Sauer, Porter immediately went after the attacking dog and positioned himself between the chow and Andrew. Porter had the chow backed away by the time the Sauers reached Andrew. Kim said the attack probably lasted less than 20 seconds. He said he couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Porter hadn’t intervened so quickly. “(The Sauers) are heroes…,” said Christine Brown, Andrew’s mother, “It’s a special feeling knowing that they would take that chance. But, that’s what Valley people are like.” Responding Weber County Animal Control Officer Amanda Bardwell said that the chow’s owner made a difficult situation easier to work through by cooperating completely. “They were responsible dog owners who realized what needed to be done.” Bardwell said that there have been approximately 15 dog attacks, bites that broke human skin, in the Ogden Valley this year. If you receive a bite that breaks skin, Bardwell says you should first seek appropriate medical attention. Then you should report the attack to animal services, otherwise you could face a fine. Many victims and/or the dog owners are uncertain about reporting a dog bite for fear that the dog will be euthanized. Bardwell says that 90 percent of the dogs that bite are returned to their owners. She says most bites are isolated cases in which a dog was somehow provoked. Please contact Weber County Animal Services at 399-8244 if you have any questions regarding animal control. Preventing Dog Bites 1. Approach dogs slowly. Let the dog come to you instead of going to them. 2. Never disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or chewing on a bone or a toy. 3. Don’t get between two dogs. 4. Don’t make sudden, loud noises that might startle a dog. 5. Don’t pull on ears and tails. 6. Always ask permission from the owner before you pet a dog. 7. Don’t reach through a fence to pet a dog. Dogs will protect their territory. 8. Never disturb dogs with puppies. 9. Not every dog wags its tail because it’s happy. If Approached by an Aggressive Dog 1. Don’t run away. Walk backwards slowly avoiding eye contact. 2. Hold an object between you and the dog to divert its attention. A stick, bike, backpack, jacket or even a piece of paper can help. 3. If you fall or get knocked down, curl up into a ball and protect your head and face with your hands and arms. Rabies and License Clinic to be Held Weber County Animal Services will be holding a rabies and licensing clinic at the Eden Fire Station on Saturday, January 15 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Rabies shots will be administered by Dr. Etta Baker at a cost of $6 each. Licenses for spayed or neutered dogs will be available for $5 each. Fees for dogs who haven’t been spayed or neutered are $15 each. A spayed or neutered pet owned by someone 65 years of age or older will cost just $3 each to license. Certificates for proof of rabies, spay or neuter must be presented at time of license purchase. Information courtesy of the Weber County Animal Services Serving America’s families since 1972 Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. 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