An animal charity in Britain is to honour the life of a New Plymouth dog with the equivalent of the George Cross for animals.
George, a 14-year-old Jack Russell from New Plymouth, had to be put down in 2007 after he was mauled while saving five children from a pit bull terrier attack in Manaia.
A Swedish group was previously inspired to write a song as a tribute to George.
Now, the British animal charity PDSA is rewarding George with a posthumous gold medal for saving the children, aged between three and 12 years old, from the two pit bulls.
PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin says George displayed "a lion's share of courage" in standing his ground to protect the children.
The honour will be presented to George's owner, Alan Gay, in Manaia in February.
