Woman, 88, took on pit bull to save puppy

An 88-year-old Saskatoon woman who flung herself between a charging pit bull and her puppy says she's grateful to be alive.

Rose Jarmon was taking her Shih Tzu for a walk in the 1100 block of Avenue J South, west of the river, when the bigger dog broke through a fence and ran toward her dog.

'I'm 88, so what the heck about me, but my puppy. He's so cute' —Rose Jarmon

Jarmon threw herself in front of the pit bull to save the Shih Tzu.

"My little puppy. That's what I was thinking," Jarmon said. "I didn't care about me, I'm 88, so what the heck about me, but my puppy. He's so cute."

Jarmon's neighbours quickly ran out to help and managed to pry the pit bull away from her.

The woman was rushed to hospital for treatment of bite marks and scrapes.

Shayler Higgs, a pit bull breeder and the dog's owner, said there was a pregnant female in the yard and his dog was naturally defending his turf.

He said he's a responsible owner, but understands it was a serious situation.

"He's young, I don't want to have to put him down, but I can't have him eating people in the neighbourhood, especially 88-year-old women," Higgs said.

"I'm as upset as anybody, but he's my dog and I love him and he's young."

Police seized the pit bull and charged Higgs with having a dangerous dog. It will be up to the courts to decide whether the dog will be put down.