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Hero reaps praise, offers of help

The woman who saved a boy from a dog attack is in line for a big thank you in a church Sunday.

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published January 27, 2007

TAMPA - Stephanie Lopez wants to thank the woman who rescued her young son from four pit bulls Tuesday.

She hopes for a mighty thank you.

So she invited 25-year-old club dancer Angel Perez to attend services with her Sunday at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

Perez agreed to go.

"I invited her to church on Sunday so she could be introduced, to let everybody know that she's the one that saved his life," said Lopez, 31.

Everyone already seems to know that Perez is the hero who rescued 9-year-old Dontae Vincent, Lopez' son, from dogs that had chased him onto Florida Avenue, a few blocks from his Columbus Drive home.

Lobbyist Greg Coler, former secretary of Florida's child protection agency, offered to help pay Perez's medical bills.

So did First Amendment lawyer Luke Lirot, who called Perez a positive role model for exotic dancers.

A Bradenton man wanted to know how to nominate her for a heroism award.

Perez's co-workers at Envy Gentleman's Club plan to collect donations.

One Tampa business offered her free martial arts training, presumably to help sharpen her skills should she need to fight off more dangerous dogs.

And several readers contacted the St. Petersburg Times, attempting to reach Perez to send cards and checks.

On Tuesday evening, Perez and her boyfriend Donell Howard, 40, were headed north on Florida Avenue near Columbus Drive, when they heard screams. Perez quickly saw the source of the cries. A young boy was running through traffic to escape four pit bullterriers.

Perez, 5 feet tall, leaped out of the car armed only with Mace and her fist. She helped fight off the dogs, and her boyfriend carried Dontae out of harm's way.

Dontae suffered several bite wounds. Perez had severe bites, including an arm wound that required 20 stitches.

Perez said she does not have medical insurance. A cousin helped pay for one of her prescriptions.

The dogs were euthanized Friday by Hillsborough Animal Services, spokeswoman Marti Ryan said.

All four are registered to Jennifer Stewart, 32. In September, officers cited her for failure to properly register and vaccinate the dogs, Ryan said.

Stewart was not home Tuesday when the dogs got out of the yard and chased Dontae, Ryan said. Stewart's husband, Bobby Lee Stewart, was home and faces charges in connection with the incident.

Perez isn't sure what to make of all the fuss over her. She hopes someone would have done the same for her 9-year-old son.

"I mean, I understand everybody appreciates it," she said. "It's not a big deal. That was a baby that was being attacked, being hurt. You can't let that happen."

Times staff writer Michael A. Mohammed contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 06:08:38]