See, Jiujitsu can save a life!

A friend emailed me this story today (thanks, Bonnie!) and it was too good not to share with the Dojo! Enjoy!

9 year old boy uses jiu-jitsu on a pit bull to save a young girl and her dog.
January 5, 2009 · By MatRatz.com Staff

"9-year-old Drew Heredia is being called a hero after he put a pit bull in a rear naked choke to save a girl and her dog from a vicious pit bull attack.

Heredia who has been training at Bakersfield Brazlian Jiu-jitsu for about 2 months says he and a friend were walking her small dog Tuesday when, out of nowhere, a pit bull jumped on the dog.
The 12-year-old girl tried to save her little dog and the pit bull turned on her.

Heredia says he jumped on the dog and applied a chokehold and held the dog for 20 minutes until an animal control officer arrived.

“At first I wanted to kick it, but then I thought, it’s not a good idea because it could get my leg,” said Drew Heredia.

The girl was taken to Mercy Southwest Hospital where she was treated for puncture wounds.

The pit bull is being quarantined at the animal control office, where it will be euthanized after 10 days.

No one has claimed the dog.

The other dog was not hurt. It ran away during the attack, but returned home to the girl Friday afternoon."

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This story is a fantastic illustration of how martial arts training, when done properly, teaches kids not only self-defense techniques (or in this case, dog-defense!), but also quick thinking (don't kick the dog!), control (hold until help arrives!), and confidence (save the little girl's life by acting quickly!).

As a lifelong martial artist, and current student of Brazilian Jiujitsu, it's rewarding to hear accounts like this where someone knowing "Ultimate Fighting" (what many people erroneously lump grappling martial arts together as!) actually ends up saving lives.

Now I just hope someone like a Caesar Milan, comes and takes care of and rehabilitates the pitbull and that its owner/s is held accountable.

JMS

ps: If anyone is interested in learning Brazilian Jiujitsu (extremely valuable for women especially, as it is very very effective defense against sexual assault), let me know and I'll help you find a place to train. If you're in the Charlotte area, come train with us at Leadership Martial Arts! It's a great non-intimidating friendly atmosphere and we love meeting and training with new people!