10.Troy Defends His Family
In November 2005, the Doherty family was on a stroll with their four Labrador retrievers in Randalstown Forest Park in Northern Ireland when they were attacked by a pit bull. The dog first went after the Doherty’s lab, Cole, biting his leg. Parents Sean and Dierdre tried to pry the pit bull loose, but when Cole went limp, it turned its attention toward them. Both received minor wounds. Then the dog ran toward the Doherty’s youngest child, 10-year-old Ben.
That’s when Ben’s lab Troy jumped into the fray. Troy fought with the dog until police arrived on the scene and shot the pit bull. Troy had been badly injured, and he died shortly thereafter.
Sean Doherty later said, “We are just devastated by Troy’s death. He always gave hugs, put his head on your chest. We have cuts and bruises from the attack. This other dog was let off to kill. You could see it in his eyes. But the children are okay. We are so thankful to Troy for saving our lives.”
