A Burnside man will receive an Australian bravery award after stepping in to stop a dog that attacked a woman and her grandson.
On Monday, Governor-General Quentin Bryce said that Damian Hall, who received a Victorian bravery award in 2012, would receive a national honour for his selfless actions.
“It is hard to put into words,” Mr Hall (pictured) said of the news. “I received a letter before Christmas and I was a bit shocked and overwhelmed. It brings back a lot of memories.”
Mr Hall was driving on Westwood Drive in Burnside on November 17, 2011 when he saw a woman fighting off a pitbull terrier that was attacking a baby inside a pram.
He rushed to help the pair and struck the dog several times before it began to attack him. A passerby pulled up in a ute to help. The woman and child were able to climb inside the vehicle, while Mr Hall jumped onto the tray of the ute to get out of harm’s way.
He then stopped the dog from attacking a neighbour who had come outside to assist.
“When it first happened, people were asking, ‘what were you thinking?’” Mr Hall said. “I wasn’t thinking, you just get it done.’’
Mr Hall said he didn’t know the victim and her family before the incident, but that had changed. “I know her family well; the young boy is the same age as my son.”
The grandmother was also honoured with a commendation for her role in stopping the attack.
