INDIANA -- Two Buchanan men who rescued a man and his dog from two attacking pit bulls were recognized this week for their efforts.
Jim Cowles, 50, said he responded the way he did ‘’just because.’’
"Somebody needed a helping hand, and we just jumped in,’’ said Cowles, who appeared humbled by the award given to him and Jason Stroud.
"They didn’t have to give it to me, but it’s nice to be recognized,’’ said Kowles.
Cowles and Stroud, 28, were presented with the Citizen Appreciation Award during Monday’s Buchanan Commissioners meeting by Mayor Carla Cole.
On the morning of Sept. 10, Doyle Vergon was walking his dog on a leash near Dewey and Short streets when two pit bulls started attacking him and his pet.
Officials said Cowles was just arriving for work at Newman’s Auto when he saw the attack and retrieved a breaker bar from the garage.
He then ran over and began hitting the dogs with the metal tool.
Stroud was sleeping in his apartment when awakened by screams and other sounds of the attack.
He looked outside and then ran over hitting the dogs with a shovel, which was the first thing he grabbed while racing over from his residence, officials said.
Cowles and Stroud managed to keep the dogs off Vergon and his dog until the police arrived.
‘’I shudder to think what may have happened to Doyle and his pet if Jim and Jason had not acted so courageously and without regard for their own safety,’’ Cole said.
Stroud said he didn’t think twice about going out to help.
"I saw a man who needed help. I would just hope if I needed help somebody would be there for me,’’ said Stroud.
Later that day, police said the same two dogs attacked Ann Desenberg in her garage and her brother, Lou Desenberg when he tried to assist in his sister.
All three victims were seriously injured but Lou Desenberg, perhaps, was hurt the worst with a torn muscle in his leg, police said.
The dogs owned by a Buchanan Township couple were later euthanized.
"It was really brave to do what you did. You are all heroes,’’ said Cole in handing the men the award.
(South Bend Tribune - November 29, 2011)
