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Meet Tara: ‘Hero Cat’ That Saved Young Boy From Dog

Posted at 11:56 AM, May 16, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-16 12:02:01-04

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (WJW-TV) — Most have seen the video: a young boy is attacked by a dog, and the family cat comes to his rescue.

Jeremy, 4, needed a few stitches, but was OK afterward. Video of the ordeal, however, went viral — more than nine million people have seen it.

**Watch the rescue in the video at the bottom of this page**

So what’s the cat’s story?

According to TODAY, Tara is a stray that the family adopted about six years ago after she followed them home from a park while Jeremy’s parents were dating. She would sleep with Jeremy in his crib when he was a baby, they said.

The family says she’s normally a very laid back cat, so they were surprised at her big rescue. After hurtling herself at the neighbor’s dog, she made sure he ran away and then actually appears to go back and check on Jeremy.

Jeremy’s parents said their three young sons can be rough with her sometimes, but Tara puts up with it.

The dog involved in the attack may have to be euthanized.

For much more on this story, click here.