Heroic Dog Nabs Award for Saving Her Brother’s Life

PETA Celebrates Toune for Snatching Smaller Dog Out of Vehicle’s Path

For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2019

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A Heroic Dog Award is on its way from PETA to the Gauthier family for their 4-year-old dog, Toune, who rushed to the rescue of her brother, 4-year-old Fidji, on February 2.

A now-viral video shows Fidji walking into the path of a reversing vehicle—but Toune, spotting the danger, sprinted toward him, picked up the much-smaller dog, and ran with him to safety. The dogs’ guardian told PETA that the two, who have been together since they were 2 months old, are inseparable best friends. Toune is a “[v]ery energetic dog,” Annie Gauthier says. She “always want[s] to work … [and] play,” and, above all, “always protect [Fidji].”

“Toune and Fidji’s dedication to each other shows the loving family bonds that dogs can make,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA encourages anyone who’s inspired by their story to consider providing a dog or cat who’s waiting at a local animal shelter with a lifelong home.”

PETA is sending the Gauthier family a framed certificate and a letter of congratulations along with a “doggie bag” of toys and vegan treats for Toune and Fidji to enjoy.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.