New York: Guide dog jumps in front of speeding bus to protect blind owner

A guide dog has become a real life superhero after rescuing its blind owner from an oncoming school bus in New York.

Figo threw himself in front of the vehicle as it hurtled towards him and his owner Audrey Stone while they crossed Michael Neuner Avenue on 8 June.

Luckily the 62 year old escaped with her life and was taken to hospital suffering a head injury and a broken ankle, elbow and ribs. The golden retriever took most of the impact of the collision and had to have his leg put into a splint. He will remain at a veterinary hospital in Danbury, Connecticut, until his owner is released from hospital.

The bus driver and the two schoolchildren aboard the school bus were not harmed.

John Del Gardo, Brewster Village's police chief, said: "The dog took a lot of the blow. And he did not want to leave her side.

"He stood right with her. He was there to save her.

"You really can't touch an injured dog guarding someone. Touch them – they're aggressive. Not this dog."

Paul Schwartz, who manages a petrol station near the scene, said: "He was flopping over to her, and she didn't want to get away from him, either. She kept screaming Figo's name.

"He let us wrap up his leg without any problem. He wasn't barking or crying or yelping. But he kept pulling toward her."