Animals putting their bodies on the line

One man's best friend put his paw up for national hero this year.

George the 9-year-old Jack Russell made headlines around the world in April after he gave his life to save a group of children from two pitbulls.

The pitbulls had rushed at five youngsters walking in the Taranaki town of Manaia.

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And in October, a bronze statue was unveiled in the Manaia town centre in memory of the brave little pooch.

Another canine who made the ultimate sacrifice this year was police dog Enzo, a German shepherd who drowned during the pursuit of an offender in the Bay of Plenty in August.

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