8-Year-Old Boy Killed By 3 Dogs -- `Brave Little Girl' Fights Hard To Rescue Friend

DURHAM, N.C. - An 8-year-old boy was killed by three giant dogs despite the efforts of a "brave little girl" who covered him with her own body and punched the dogs' snouts.

Jessica Crocker, 8, whose family owned the two mastiffs and the St. Bernard that fatally mauled Jordan Schwarze in the girl's backyard Thursday, also dragged Jordan away and covered him with a small stepladder to thwart the dogs.

"She tried, she sure tried to get those dogs off," said policemen A.L. Gooch. "It was tough for her. She was a brave little girl."

Police said the dogs weighed between 170 and 200 pounds apiece.

Jordan's chest was punctured at least twice by the dogs' teeth. He died at Duke University Medical Center a short time after the attack.

Jessica's father, Larry Crocker, said yesterday he had the dogs destroyed at an animal clinic.

"After something like that I would never want to take a chance," he said.

Police said Jordan went to Jessica's home to play with her. When she told him to leave because her parents weren't home, he climbed a 7-foot fence enclosing the Crockers' backyard, and the Crockers' dogs attacked him.

While Jessica tried to save her friend, her 14-year-old sister, who was upstairs doing homework, called their mother at work. She called 911. Rescuers found both children covered in Jordan's blood.

Police said it was unlikely criminal charges would be filed because the death appeared accidental.

Jessica was unhurt but will receive counseling, said her father, who was at a soccer game with another daughter at the time.

"Physically, she's fine," Crocker said, but added, "I can tell it's really bothering her."