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The jack russell who gave his life protecting a group of Taranaki children from vicious pitbulls is to receive a posthumous Purple Heart - all the way from Texas.
The canine hero, George, was put down after sustaining massive injuries in the attack last Sunday. His story, which has gone around the world, so moved a US war veteran he contacted the local newspaper to find George's owner, Alan Gay.
Jerrell Hudman, who earned his Purple Heart in Vietnam, called the dog a "little warrior". His wife, Alice, who cried reading the story, called George "a hero of all heroes", the newspaper said.
