Paul Manzi, a 68 year old technician for the local power company, was on the job when he saw a pit bull chasing a nine-year-old girl, with her mother face planting in the street as she tried to catch up. ABC 7 reports
Paul grabbed a large umbrella from his truck and ran to help. The dog, had pinned the girl to the ground and the mother arrived just before paul was trying to pull the dog off. Paul jabbed the dog with the umbrella and then when the dog turned on him he opened it and started moving the umbrella. The dog was confused and started trying to attack the umbrella so he simply used it like a matador uses a cape. While the dog ran in circles trying to eat the umbrella the mom and daughter were able to escape to a neighbors house who called 9-11.
Both mom and daughter needed stiches but will be OK. The dog was put down and authorities are still trying to find the owner.
Though many are calling Manzi a hero, he insists it’s the girl's mother who deserves that title. "When the dog was on top of the little girl, the mom was grabbing the dog's skin. The skin was like stretching, she was trying to get the dog off. So, she's the real hero, not me."