Bravery award for 12-year-old boy

Dog lover Damon Boyer-Marwood has been recognised for his bravery by the SPCA and Porirua City Council after stepping in to save a dog being attacked with a cricket bat.

The Brandon Intermediate 12-year-old was presented a bravery award by SPCA staff and Mayor Nick Leggett at a school assembly on June 1.

On May 21, Damon intervened when he found a group of boys attacking a small female terriercross dog. The boys were holding the dog down and taking turns to kick it, and one was hitting it with a cricket bat, an SPCA spokesman said.

Damon told the group of boys to leave.

‘‘They stood there for a bit, then they ran inside,’’ he said.

Damon said he did not think it was fair that the boys were hitting the dog.

He took the dog to a friend’s house, before calling the SPCA. The dog, named Rose, was ‘‘ very scared and shaky’’ and had extensive bruising.

Rose’s owner Sosefina Leota attended Damon’s award ceremony on June 1.

‘‘I want to thank him from my heart,’’ she said.

Damon’s grandmother Jenny Marwood said she was proud of him.

‘‘It makes you wonder what would have happened if he didn’t step in.’’

Wellington SPCA inspector Kaycee Polkinghorne said Damon did the right thing.

‘‘I just hope there are more kids out there who are willing to stand up for what’s right and not be afraid to say it.’’

Photo: ANGELINE HUMPHREYS, BRANDON INTERMEDIATE Rescuer: Brandon Intermediate pupil Damon Boyer-Marwood was given an SPCA bravery award on June 1, at a ceremony attended by Rose, the dog he saved from a beating, and her owner Sosefina Leota.