An eight-year-old boy exhibited remarkable bravery by rescuing his six-year-old sister from a brutal attack by a pit bull. In a harrowing incident in Michigan, Lillian Chitwood was playing outside when a neighbor’s pit bull broke free and attacked her, inflicting severe bite wounds on her face and neck. Thanks to her brother Nicholas’s courageous intervention, the situation was prevented from turning fatal.
During the late June incident, Nicholas didn’t hesitate to kick the dog to divert its attention from Lillian, ensuring her safety. The attack left Lillian with significant nerve damage and cuts that might require ongoing medical treatment.
The children’s mother, Rebecca Chitwood, recounted the panic of rushing to the hospital after receiving the terrifying news. “When I got the call, I just dropped everything and sped all the way to the hospital,” she told WNEM. She was initially unaware of the severity of the situation, which could range from minor punctures to life-threatening injuries.
Nicholas was hailed as a hero by his family for his quick response. “He jumped on the dog and pulled it off her and continued to kick it until her grandpa came to help. He was just trying to save his sister. He heard her let out a scream and… he jumped into action,” his mother explained. Nicholas himself humbly stated, “I didn’t want her to die.”
Lillian expressed deep gratitude for her brother’s life-saving actions, saying, “It was hard, but I’m thankful for my brother to help me. Because if he didn’t, I would be dead by now.”
Following the attack, the dog was euthanized by local authorities. The Chitwood family has since started a GoFundMe page to cover Lillian’s medical expenses. The description details the incident, mentioning the unprovoked nature of the attack and the extensive surgery required at the University of Michigan.
“The road ahead for my daughter is going to be a long one, and numerous trips to University of Michigan which is a few hours away. This will require time off of work, and numerous medical bills for who knows how long, not to mention the mental aspect of this traumatizing experience for my baby girl! Any and all donations are much appreciated,” the page notes. So far, it has raised over $12,000.