Francisco Santiago rescued Teresa A. Sciortino from an attacking dog, Waterbury, Connecticut, March 6, 2006. A 100-pound male pit bull attacked Sciortino, 52, in her backyard, taking her to the ground and biting her severely about the legs. Screaming, she fought to free herself. A next-door neighbor, Santiago, 30, wire technician, exited his house and witnessed the attack. Armed only with a three-foot-long piece of wood that was on his porch, Santiago ran to the scene and began to strike the dog. Despite the blows, the dog continued to maul Sciortino but then turned on Santiago, darting at his legs and snapping. Continuing to wield the piece of wood, Santiago backed away from the dog as the dog pursued him. When the dog finally fled the yard, Santiago aided Sciortino into her house, where they awaited an ambulance and police. Sciortino required extensive hospitalization for treatment, which included surgeries, of her wounds.
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