Boy Scout Adam Pietras was only 10 when he fought off a loose bullmastiff that got into his family’s backyard and charged his younger sister, then 7.
He pushed his sister out of harm’s way. The dog latched onto him instead, causing severe injuries but buying enough time for his younger brother Tyler to run for help. Adam suffered substantial blood loss, was hospitalized and required more than 200 stitches. Following therapy and plastic surgery, Adam made a strong recovery.
On March 16, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton), presented Adam with a U.S. Flag flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. in Adam’s honor, and a copy of remarks in the Congressional Record Smith entered March 14.
Smith presented the flag and a copy of the Congressional Record statement at a Boy Scout Court of Honor at Switllik Park in Hamilton before Adam’s fellow scouts of Troop 87, veterans at the VFW Post 491 (which charters Troop 87), and family and friends.
Pietras, 14, and Tyler, 12, are students at Reynolds Middle School. Their sister, Rachael, attends Sunnybrae Elementary School. Adam’s parents, Peter Pietras and Lisa Pitoniak-Pietras, and family and friends, attended the event. Smith gave Tyler a Congressional Certificate honoring his actions to get help as Adam fought the dog.
In 2017, Adam received the Boy Scouts of America’s highest national award for lifesaving and meritorious action, the Honor Medal With Crossed Palms. The award is rarely given, with around 300 issued in the last 80 years. The township has also honored Adam.
