Rescued pit bull saves owner from oncoming train (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON – A rescued Massachusetts pit bull returned the favor for her owner, losing her front leg in the process.

David Lanteigne, a Boston police officer, rescued Lilly three years ago as a therapy dog for his mother, who suffers from alcoholism, reports Boston’s KSDK.com.

Last week, Lilly tried to help Lanteigne’s mother, who had fallen unconscious on train tracks in Shirley, Mass.

“Lilly was either pushing or pulling my mother off the track,” he says.

Eight-year-old Lilly took the entire hit from an oncoming freight train, while his mother was uninjured.

The dog, who lost one of her front legs in the rescue will be able to walk again, doctors say.

“I’m supposed to be the strong one. I’m supposed to be here for her, but she’s been so great, so tough through all this. It almost seems like she’s the one comforting me and being there for me and making me feel better,” Lanteigne says.

Watch video below of Lilly and Lanteigne following the accident:

Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up