PETA gives Chester Co. prosecutor and family award for saving man and dog in flood

The animal rights group PETA is giving an award – and a box of vegan cookies – to Chester County prosecutor Julie Hall and her family after a rescue Sunday of an 87-year-old man and his dog from floodwaters near Columbia.

The Halls rescued George Osterhues of Canada and his dog, Tila, a Yorkshire terrier, from a flooded car Sunday. The rescue, first reported at heraldonline.com Monday, has become an international story of bravery that has since been covered by news organizations in England, Canada and across America.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals employees even collected more than $1,000 to send to Osterhues by “passing the bowl” to help him after his car was totaled in the flood.

Tom Hall, prosecutor Julie Hall’s husband, pulled Osterhues through the car window to safety before the car was completely submerged. Osterhues refused to leave without the dog, so Tom Hall pulled both out and the Hall family then pulled Osterhues and his dog from the water.

Although Osterhues lost many of his belongings in the flood, he told PETA he’s thankful to have Tila, who is most important to him.

“I have my dog,” Osterhues said. “Everything is replaceable, but my dog is not.”

PETA is also sending dog toys for Tila.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 4:20 PM with the headline "PETA gives Chester Co. prosecutor and family award for saving man and dog in flood."