Off-Duty Police Officer Honored For Saving Autistic Man From Dog Attack

Senior Sergeant Peter Graham was awarded with a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal after saving the life of an autistic Southland resident who was viciously attacked by two Rottweilers two years ago.

The ceremony honored the bravery of Graham after he bravely rescued Oliver Beaumont when he was mauled by what was described to the police as two “fully grown Rottweilers” while walking through Winton on June 2018.

Southland District Council mayor Gary Tong presented Graham with the medal Monday, according to Stuff.

Graham's colleagues nominated him to be the beneficiary of the award, Royal Humane Society of New Zealand executive officer Gareth Murfit, also told the outlet.

Graham, who was, at the time of the attack, driving with his wife Jasmine up the main road, saw the animals attacking Beaumont. Despite being off-duty that day, he made a u-turn and helped the victim.

“I could see that the man was down on the ground and the dogs were attacking him. One was on his leg and the other was on his head area,” Graham told Newshub.

Neighbors helped Graham, who intervened by placing himself between the canines and Beaumont.

He also told Newshub that he kicked stones at the dogs while at the same time yelling at them in an effort to scare the vicious animals.

Beaumont suffered injuries to his face and arms from the attack. He was transported to the hospital where his wounds were treated.

The dogs, on the other hand were captured by the Southland District Council dog control and was later euthanized.