Pit Bull Saves Owner From Certain Death on Train Tracks

Published May 9, 2012

Video by KSDK

A pit bull saved her owner's life by stepping between her owner's body and an oncoming freight train.

Maryland has recently deemed that pit bulls are inherently dangerous dogs. Yet, for those who own them, these dogs are far from dangerous; rather, they are intensely loyal and loving creatures. Proof of this can be found in the form of a Massachusetts woman who is alive today solely because of her pit bull.

According to a report by KSDK, a woman was rescued from certain death after falling unconscious on a set of railroad tracks thanks to her pit bull, who sacrificed her body to save her owner. With a freight train bearing down on her owner, the pit bull, an eight-year-old named Lilly, either tried to push or pull her out of the train's path. With time running out, the dog then moved between the train and her owner to spare her owner the brunt of the train hit. She wound up bearing the entirety of the hit from the oncoming train, and suffered severe trauma, including a sliced foot and a fractured pelvis along with other injuries.

Maryland Rules Pit Bulls "Inherently Dangerous" Dogs

Lilly's story is a touching one. A pit bull rescued from an animal shelter, Lilly was chosen by Boston police officer David Lanteigne to serve as his mother's companion dog. Lanteigne's mother, Christine Spain, is a recovering alcoholic. Lanteigne thought the constant companionship of Lilly would be good for his mother. 

Lilly the pit bull paid Lanteigne's good deed forward. After having her life saved through her rescue from the shelter, she saved Lanteigne's mother's life with her act of heroism, sacrificing her body to save Spain's life.

We ask again: are pit bulls inherently dangerous? Lilly's story might make Maryland lawmakers rethink their stance on the matter.

What do you think about Lilly the pit bull's heroic story? Share your thoughts in a comment.

Editor's Note: MSPCA and it's Pet Care Assistance program are providing Lilly's family with financial aid for her extensive treatments, including an amputated leg and a fractured pelvis. If you would like to support Pet Care Assistance, please visit the donation page.

Author's profile photo
Ryan Karpusiewicz Ryan Karpusiewicz is the Assistant Editor, Lifestyle, for Digital Works @ NBC U, whose main…

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Comments (162)

Anonymous (Unverified)
who'd have guess...Maryland is ran by democrats. Be more afraid of shepherds and ankle biters.. and labs. Pit bull type dogs are not mean unless their owner is a douchebag. Any dog with a douchebag for an owner will be mean..... Stupid people... it's dog racism. Let's start stereotyping people and outlawing them, again. SMRT.
Anonymous (Unverified)
People who think pit bull type dogs are dangerous are generally stupid leftist liberal bleeding heart MORONS.
Anonymous (Unverified)
You don't even say if the poor dog survived!
Sheltieguy (Unverified)
Great story ! Pit Bulls are getting such a raw deal, in this country. I feel the only reason a Pit Bull is mean is because a human has made him mean, for one reason or another. I would love to have one but I do understand that they are physically a strong animal and I couldn't really handle one, so I stick to Shelties !! But lets quit just killing these dogs because we think they are mean. Look at the turn around that was done with Micheal Vic's dogs. Give them a chance individually !!!
Jazo (Unverified)
I luv dat story,almost made me cry,i have pitbulls,they are lovable family dogs,they are what their owners make them
Pittie fan in Massachusetts (Unverified)
ANY dog has the potential to be dangerous. There are no dangerous pit bulls, just DANGEROUS & VICIOUS OWNERS!
Anonymous (Unverified)
Not true. Most children and infants are killed by their docile family dog-- commonly grandparent's or uncle's Pit bull type dog--when the children are left with the grandparents to baby sit.