Guardian Angel Mutt Protects 3-Year-Old While Help Arrives

March 10, 2001 Providence, Rhode Is., USA

Some time Thursday morning, Providence Police received a call about a strange pair of stragglers on a busy street.

The call was made by a neighborhood resident who spotted a young child, underdressed for the cold weather, playing in a puddle just off Valley Street.  His vigilant dog was by his side, barking and fiercely defending the toddler from all approaching strangers.

Police patrolmen arrived on the scene and assessed the situation, still being held at a distance by the alert mongrel.  An animal control officer was then called in to grab the dog.

''The kid's dog was following him around and protecting him," said Lieutenant Paul Kennedy of the Youth Services Bureau, "...people who found him couldn't get close to him."

Once the child was taken in, authorities learned that he was Spencer Pierce, age 3, who had wandered from his Tuxedo Road home, crossing several blocks of traffic, closely guarded by his faithful and protective dog the entire way.

The boy's father Willard Pierce was asleep at the time, unaware that the child had wandered.  Mr. Pierce was supposed to be watching Spencer while Spencer's mother Claudine Schmoll was at work.

Upon further investigation, authorities found that "the conditions of the home were deplorable. There was feces on the floor. The house was dirty," (said Lt. Kennedy).

Mr. Pierce was taken into custody on a court warrant from Kent County.  The case is being handled by the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

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