On March 30, 2025, William Newbury, a 22-year-old from Roath, Cardiff, was caught in an unimaginable situation when he stumbled upon a vicious dog attack while delivering gifts to a friend on Mother’s Day.
What should have been a simple drop-off soon turned into a nightmare.
William found himself rushing to the rescue of a mother and her one-week-old baby as they were attacked by three out-of-control Staffordshire Bull Terriers in a house in Llanrumney, South Wales.
With the door to the house jammed shut, and the woman and child under attack, William’s instinct to help took over.
He tried to distract the dogs from the outside, but his efforts were futile as the animals remained focused on their targets.
Spotting an open ground-floor window, William made the split-second decision to enter the home through it, not realizing the danger that awaited him inside.
Fighting for His Life and the Victims
As soon as William entered the house, the dogs shifted their aggression onto him.
The scene quickly escalated into a frenzy, with the animals attacking him relentlessly.
Despite his attempts to fight them off, nothing seemed to stop the onslaught.
William recalls the horrifying experience, describing how he was bitten and mauled for what felt like an eternity—around 20 minutes—before emergency services arrived.
During this time, he endured severe injuries, including deep wounds to his leg, hands, arms, face, stomach, and lower back.
His bravery in the face of such aggression was nothing short of extraordinary, but it came at a high cost.
After the ordeal, William was rushed to the hospital, where he spent the next week receiving treatment for his injuries.
The Aftermath and Long Road to Recovery
William’s courage saved the mother and baby, but it left him with permanent damage.
Doctors have informed him that he will never fully regain the use of part of his hand, a painful reminder of his selfless actions.
The mother and her baby were also treated in hospital, but thankfully their injuries were not life-threatening.
Despite the trauma, William is determined not to let fear take over his life.
He has already sought counseling to help cope with the emotional aftermath of the attack, admitting that he often replays the events in his mind.
Although he refuses to be scared of dogs, William acknowledges that he now takes extra caution when encountering them, stepping out of the way whenever one approaches.
The Fate of the Dogs and Ongoing Investigation
South Wales Police have confirmed that the three dogs involved in the attack were destroyed, though no arrests have been made.
The police statement also revealed that all three victims received medical attention for their injuries, but none of them faced life-threatening harm.
William’s brave intervention has left an indelible mark on his life, but his selflessness in the face of danger will undoubtedly inspire many.
His story is a powerful reminder of the lengths one person will go to in order to protect others, even when faced with incredible risk.