In July 2019, Grant Brown left his family’s Conroe, Texas, house without hesitation after hearing cries coming from across the street. A 6-year-old boy’s life was saved by his quick thinking.
Brown was a teenager at the time the incident happened. He was hailed a hero after rescuing Mason Lindeman from a dog attack outside the boy’s home, reported NBC affiliate KPRC. Video shows the moments the dog leaped onto Mason, causing Brown to dash to the scene and try to distract the animal.
“As soon as I noticed, I just ran over there without thinking,” Brown told CNN. “I didn’t know how, but I knew I had to get the dog off of the boy. I was just focused on how I could get the dog away from the kid.”
Mason and the dog and two other kids were playing outside when it all started. Before the dog jumped onto Mason and knocked him to the ground, footage showed him kneeling and seemingly playing with the animal. The kids fled to the boy’s house out of obvious fear.
“My son was just laying on the ground. He’s 6, he kind of knows what to do but he’s never been put in a situation like that,” Mason’s mom, Jillian Lindeman, told KPRC.
Mason dashed home as Brown walked up and diverted the dog’s attention.
“All I see is my son running up to me and he’s got his hand on his head and there [was] blood coming down and everything,” Jillian said.
Brown himself fought the dog and sliced his hands in the process. KPRC reports that Mason was rushed to the hospital for treatment of his head wound and bruising, with the expectation to be well.
“I just want to give the guy a hug. There’s nothing I can do but just say thank you,” Jillian told KPRC in a message to the teen.
According to Brown’s mother, Crystal Waddel, who witnessed the incident, he was clearly shaken.
“I’m really really proud of him for just taking action to help the young kid,” Waddel said.
CNN reported, Montgomery County Animal Control took the dog and issued a citation to the owner.
Watch the harrowing video below
According to Click2houston, Brown was honored for his bravery and selflessness by the Conroe Police Department, the City of Conroe, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Grant Brown Day was proclaimed by the mayor of Conroe on August 5 2019.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office presented Brown with a certificate of appreciation and a flag that was flown above the criminal justice facility. The Conroe Police Department also awarded the then 19-year-old with a mug, a patch, and coins for his bravery.