Mail Carrier Honored As Hero For Saving School Girl From Dog Attack

March 21, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Flint, Michigan.

A courageous mail carrier in Michigan is being celebrated as a hero for saving a young girl from a vicious dog attack.

Rungphet Bodnar / NALC

Rungphet Bodnar of the Mid-Michigan Branch 256 was awarded the Central Region Hero award during the National Association of Letter Carriers' (NALC) annual ceremony on March 20 in Washington, D.C.

Bodnar's brave actions unfolded on April 11 while she was driving her mail route in Flint. She noticed a group of children screaming and running near a bus stop. To her horror, she saw a large dog dragging a young girl by her leg. Despite another woman’s desperate attempt to free the child, the dog repeatedly pulled the girl from the adult’s grasp.

Without hesitation, Bodnar stopped her postal vehicle and rushed to help. She used her emergency dog spray multiple times, giving the woman enough time to help pull the child away from the animal. After several intense minutes, the two women successfully freed the girl.

The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she underwent multiple surgeries for her injuries. Remarkably, she was able to return to school about a month later.

While accepting her award, Bodnar revealed a touching detail.

"She comes up to me and gives me hugs. Every time she sees the mail truck, she comes running. That's the best," she said.