KEY POINTS:
A mother of two who risked her life to save a young boy from being mauled by dogs believes her act of courage was something anyone would have done.
And on reflection, Jeanne Robinson - wife of former All Black Keith Robinson - says she wouldn't hesitate to
do it again.
Mrs Robinson was driving to the Te Aroha gym where she works on Monday evening when she was waved down by a man battling to stop his dogs tearing into a young boy.
The 34-year-old hesitated because she thought it was just a couple of dogs fighting and admitted her initial impulse was to let the "mongrels" scrap it out.
"But I looked a bit closer and there was a bike and then I saw the boy and didn't even think about it."
Mrs Robinson said the 13-year-old was a "bloody mess" covered in mud and curled up with one dog latched on to his leg.
The owner was struggling to restrain the other as the boy suffered more than 100 bites and lacerations to more than 50 per cent of his body.
But with no thought for her own safety, Mrs Robinson got stuck in.
"I spoke to the boy and said 'look I'm going to pick you up and put you in my truck'," said Mrs Robinson.
"But as I lifted the boy into the truck the [second] dog got loose again and latched back on to his leg."
Her memory of how the dog's grip was loosened is hazy but as this was happening two other women, who knew the boy, showed up.
The boy was wrapped in a towel and blanket and the two women led Mrs Robinson home to his mother.
"I think that was the worst part of all, seeing his mother."
It wasn't until the boy had been taken by ambulance to Waikato Hospital that the unscathed but reluctant and publicity-shy hero realised what she had done.
"Afterwards I was actually crapping myself ... I was bloody lucky but would I do it again? Yes, probably.
"I have two daughters and I would hope that if it were my children someone would help them out."
Sergeant Rod Smart of Morrinsville police said four dogs were involved in the attack although it was possible two had been restrained by the time Mrs Robinson arrived.
He said the owner voluntarily gave the four dogs to animal control officers on Tuesday for destruction.
Waikato District Health Board spokesperson Mary-Anne Gill said the boy was improving but still groggy.