Apollo the 5-month-old pit bull puppy is getting extra hugs today, after saving his owner’s girlfriend from a terrifying attack.

According to the New York Post, 18-year-old Maya Fairweather was visiting her boyfriend, Carlos Guzman, at his apartment in the Red Hook neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday night. Around 10 p.m., the teen decided to take Guzman’s puppy, Apollo, for a walk.

Once she reached a nearby park, Fairweather let the pit bull off his leash so he could run around on the grass, while she watched on listening to music through her headphones.

“I felt someone pull my headphones,” she told NY Post. “I thought it was my boyfriend grabbing me, so I turned around and smiled — but it wasn’t my boyfriend.”

Instead in was an unfamiliar man, who started attacking Fairweather, pushing her to the ground and tearing at her pants. After struggling with the attacker for a few moments, the teen was saved by her protective pup companion. Apollo raced to the scene and latched on to the attacker’s leg.

The puppy bit down so hard, the stranger was forced to take his attention off Fariweather to try to shake the dog off. The girl used the moment of distraction to run across the street and escape. Eventually, Apollo released the attacker, who fled from the scene.

“He was protective,” Fairweather said about the dog’s heroic deed. “I think it would’ve been a lot worse. I wouldn’t have been so lucky.”

After the incident, Fariweather and Apollo, who was not harmed during the encounter, returned to Guzman’s apartment. Guzman’s sister took Fairweather to a local police station to report the attack. Authorities are now searching for the man.

Fairweather is understandably grateful for the role Apollo played in her escape, but is surprised the usually tame canine came to her rescue.

“He is a sweet dog. I never thought he would bite anyone. He never bit anyone before. He’s usually very friendly and just jumps on everyone,” she said.



