BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Bakersfield's very own "Hero Cat" Tara is set to receive a national award for her role in saving a 4-year-old boy from a savage attack by an angry dog.
Tara will receive the "Order of the Blue Tiger" award, a prestigious honor usually given to combat K-9s and military service dogs.
The ceremony will take place Friday, Sept. 26, at the Bakersfield Veterans Center, 1110 Golden State Ave., at 11:30 a.m.
The honorable award comes from the U.S. Excercise Tiger Foundation, which honors veterans and military personnel.
“We had to use a special waiver to allow “Tara” to receive this award, as it is solely given to honor military canines,” stated National Director, Susan Haines. “I can honestly say that “Tara” has been the only cat to ever receive this award”.
Tara became a local celebrity when a video of her surfaced showing her saving her friend,4-year-old Jeremy, from a dog that attacked the boy, biting at his leg.
Tara flung into action as soon as the boy went down, throwing herself on the unsuspecting dog, causing it to let go of Jeremy.
She then scared off the attacking dog then stayed by Jeremy's side until help arrived.
The video of Tara's heroic resue captured the nation's heart, with many commenting how she acted like an experienced, trained dog.
Tara is the only feline to ever receive the award. She joins the company of other top canines from the USAF, ARMY, and Coast Guard.
The awards ceremony will include a color guard and photo ops with Tara the Hero Cat.