Dogs save man's life

2006-01-20 22:19

Charles Smith

Washington - The life of a man who fell down while walking in a maize field was saved by his two dogs.

One kept him warm by lying on top of him and the other one kept the man's torch in his mouth, which attracted police's attention.

Bill Burns of Centerton, Morgan County, says had it not been for his two labradors, Dusty and Butch, he would not have lived.

A heavy dose of medication could have been the reason why he had a black-out in the maize field, but then his two four-legged friends showed their loyalty and saved his life.

A Morgan County police officer, Steve Hoffman, was on the prowl for road hogs next to the maize field when he saw the flashing lights in the maize field.

When he stopped to investigate, he came upon a strange sight.

Dusty was lying on top of Burns, and Butch stood next to him with the torch in his mouth, swinging it to and fro, which had attracted the police officer's attention.

"The dog was lying on Burns with his neck on the man's neck - it seemed as if he was trying to keep his master warm," Hoffman said.

Burns could only shake his head in disbelief: "Those dogs - Butch with the torch in his mouth - the hand of the Lord was there."

- Beeld