North Carolina teenager saves toddler from pit bull

A North Carolina teen is being hailed as a hero for saving a toddler who was being attacked by a dog.

T.J. Blake, of Caldwell County, and her grandson Eli, 2, had seen the dog as they were making their way to a neighbor's house last Thursday.

As they were walking back home, Blake says the dog lunged through a screened window and latched on to the 2-year-old boy, MyFox8.com reports. Blake was also scratched on her arm.

Blake says she attempted to use her body as a shield, but the dog pulled the child from underneath her.

That's when Colton Hartley quickly responded. According to witnesses, the 13-year-old tackled the animal and sat on him until Blake and her grandson could escape.

© WSOC

Grandmother: Pit bull broke through window screen, attacked toddler

Eli was taken to the hospital and was treated for minor injuries. He has since been released and is expected to recover.

"Colton was able to save my grandson and for that I will be forever grateful," Blake told WSOC-TV.

Caldwell County Animal Control has quarantined the dog, who is now considered potentially dangerous.

The owners say their dog has never behaved aggressively before.