BRAVE: Luke Self needed medical attention after taking on the dogs.
TWO men are being hailed as heroes after saving a 10-year-old boy from what could literally have been the jaws of death on Sunday afternoon.
Mates, Luke Self of Toronto West, and Steve Rebesco, of Stockton, were strolling down Toronto's Cockatiel Street when they were alerted by the screams of a young boy under attack from two rottweiler guard dogs that had escaped from a nearby business premises.
Showing no fear or regard for their own safety, the two young men took on the dogs with their bare hands, eventually dragging the frenzied animals off the already badly injured boy who had been walking along the quite suburban street with two girls when the dogs had emerged from nearby bushes and attacked without warning.
"It was horrendous, thank God those guys were there," resident Kimberley Wright said. "If these boys had not been there that little boy wouldn't have survived this.
"I heard the most horrific screaming - it was enough to make you jump and run," Mrs Wright said.
"The two men just jumped on these dogs with their bare hands."
The pair were able to get the dogs off the badly injured boy, who was whisked to safety by other residents as the dogs turned on their attackers.
Mr Self suffered puncture wounds to his left arm after fending off the most aggressive animal as it came for his head and neck.
Mr Rebesco needed stitches to a bad wound to his hand.
"It felt like we were there for a week, but they probably had him for 45 seconds before we got there," Mr Self said.
Lake Macquarie local area commander Superintendent Craig Rae confirmed he had asked for a report before a recommendation could be placed for both men to receive bravery awards.
A Lake Macquarie City Council spokesperson has confirmed that the owner of the dogs has been fined.
"The number of charges has yet to be confirmed but it is safe to say the fine is approaching $2000," the spokesperson said.
Council confirmed there were no previous complaints of the dogs which were euthanased on Sunday with the owner's readily provided consent.