RSPCA Purple Cross awarded to Tank & Muck

TWO-year-old Max Hillier went missing and almost drowned late last year.

But he's alive today because of the loyalty of two dogs who refused to let the adventurous toddler out of their sight.

Rottweiler-cross Tank and staffordshire terrier-cross Muck pulled the child out of a farm dam, dragged him to safety and stood over him barking madly until help came. Today, on the Speaker's Green at Parliament, Tank will be given the RSPCA's most prestigious animal bravery award, the Purple Cross, by Premier Anna Bligh.

Muck, who belongs to neighbours of the Hillier family, will receive his later.

Police who investigated the incident were so impressed, they described the dogs as four-legged angels.

Max's mother Georgia, who found her missing son by the dam, has never been in any doubt about the lifesaving efforts of the dogs.

"I just knew they'd pulled Max out," Ms Hillier said.

"Max was soaked and had mud and slime all over him.

"He had welts and scratches and teeth marks on his wrist.

"He also had a gravel rash on his bottom from being dragged."

The near fatality happened at a neighbour's dam about 300m from the Hilliers' house at Andergrove, near Mackay, in north Queensland.

Sen-Constable John Morrisey said the only assistance available to the toddler was the dogs.

"The only way Max escaped was with some external assistance," he said.

Since the incident a big fuss had been made of Tank and Muck.

"(Husband) Paul cooked Tank and Muck a big T-bone each on the barbecue and we've bought them new beds, collars and leads," Ms Hillier said.

She also was keeping a close eye on Max and educating him about the dam.

"I think the sooner kids learn to swim, the better," she said.

The Purple Cross was established in 1993 to recognise animals that have shown outstanding service to humans, particularly if they risked their safety or lives to save a person from injury or death.

Only six have been awarded.

Return to the index...

This article has been viewed 805 times.