A Jack Russell terrier who died from injuries sustained when he saved a group of children from being mauled by two pit bulls in New Zealand is being given two posthumous medals.

New Zealand's main animal welfare agency, the Society for the Protection of Animals, today awarded George a bravery medal, while an American Vietnam veteran who read news articles about the attack said he would send a Purple Heart to the dog's owner.

Feisty, 30cm tall George fought with the pit bulls to keep them from attacking the youngest of five children as they returned home from buying sweets at a neighbourhood shop in the small North Island town of Manaia on April 29.