Tara The Cat Wins ‘Hero Dog’ Award For Saving Autistic Boy From Attack

Tara the cat reversed the traditional cat and dog roles by chasing off a ferocious canine that was attacking her master, so it’s sort of fitting that the feline recently won an award that’s usually presented to her slobbery mortal enemies.

You probably remember Tara the cat. The kitty hero made headlines last May when she transformed into a flying ball of fur to attack a dog that was trying to use her young autistic owner as a chew toy. According to Fox News, 4-year-old Jeremy Triantafilo had to receive eight stitches after his neighbor’s dog bit him on the leg. However, things could have been much worse if it hadn’t been for Tara’s quick reaction to the violent attack. You can watch Tara the cat saving the day in the video below. Jeremy also shares his thoughts about his feline friend.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles decided that Tara the cat deserved to be awarded for her bravery, so the organization recently presented her with a National Hero Dog award. Obviously, this award is usually reserved for those of the canine kind. However, the word “dog” was scratched out and replaced with “cat” on Tara’s trophy, and the hero cat was presented with her award on Friday.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first dog award that Tara has sitting on her trophy shelf. According to 23ABC News Bakersfield, she also received the Blue Tiger Award last September. This is an honor that is usually reserved for the military working dogs that are paired up with soldiers to protect them from harm.

“At a board of directors meeting this summer, it was brought to our attention that Tara fulfilled a similar mission,” said Susan C. Haines, National Executive Director of the U.S. Exercise Tiger Commemorative Foundation.

However, it’s important to note that there are plenty of canines out there who are just as brave as Tara. Earlier this month, a seeing eye dog threw himself in front of a bus to protect his blind owner from being seriously injured by the automobile. As the Inquisitr previously reported, the lucky dog survived the hit.

According to Jeremy Triantafilo’s father, Tara the hero cat always keeps a watchful eye on her charge, but she doesn’t eye all dogs with suspicion.

“The neighbor kids come over and play with her. Dogs walk by all the time. She gets along fine with our dog, Maya. But if Jeremy falls off his bike, she comes running. If he starts crying, she comes running.”

Luckily, Tara hasn’t had to save her owner from any other malicious mutts. When Tara isn’t on neighborhood dog watch, she hangs out on social media interacting with her adoring fans. According to the Washington Post, Tara the hero cat has a Facebook page, a Twitter page, a website, and a Cafepress shop that sells T-shirts emblazoned with her own special logo.

Hopefully, Tara the cat isn’t letting all her fame and accolades go to her head — some cats can spend their days making money by looking grumpy, but Tara has a very important job to do.

@chucknorris I’ve been studying up on your moves. I never know when I might need them. pic.twitter.com/z1jelZFAzr

— Tara Hero Cat (@taraherocat) March 12, 2015

[Image via Tara Hero Cat Facebook]