NSF Bitten 6 Times, Fractures Finger While Rescuing Poodle Hit By Car

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It's true: Not all heroes wear capes. 

21-year-old Ilham Jufri didn’t hesitate to rescue a toy poodle who was a victim of a hit-and-run case along Bedok South Avenue 2. In fact, he put his life on the line to do it. 

In a Facebook post on August 3, Ilham’s dad, Jufri Salim, shared about his son’s good deed. 

Ilham, who is currently serving his National Service with the Police K-9 Unit, was out for a jog when he saw a poodle dash across the road before being hit by an oncoming vehicle.

Without any hesitation, he rushed to carry the injured poodle off the busy road.

Even though the poodle had a harness, which meant it belonged to someone, the dog's owner was nowhere in sight.

Moments later, the dog started having seizures, and Iham quickly called the SPCA for help.

Suddenly, the disoriented poodle bolted back onto the busy road with Ilham giving chase again.

Several passers-by joined in the chase and the poodle was finally secured by a girl, who passed the dog back to Ilham.

During the struggle, the frightened pooch bit Iham six times across three of his fingers.

Despite the pain, Ilham held on tightly to the poodle until SPCA officers and police arrived.

Jufri then took Ilham to the hospital, where he received a tetanus jab.

Ilham was later warded after he told the A&E doctor he couldn’t form a fist with his hand.

An X-ray the next day revealed that Ilham had fractured one of his fingers and underwent a debridement procedure. 

In a later post, it was revealed that the poodle is in good condition and has been picked up from the SPCA by its owner.

In an interview with 8days.sg, Ilham says he has no regrets about his actions and is simply relieved the dog is alive and well.

Ilham, who is Muslim, shares that his religion didn’t cross his mind during the rescue. Muslims generally avoid contact with dogs due to religious beliefs.

“It is a living, breathing creature that needed help. Furthermore, I work with dogs as a K-9 officer, so I am already trained to handle bigger canines,” says Ilham.

Ilham also tells us that he felt compelled to give chase as he noticed the poodle bleeding across it's mouth and leg when it dashed off the second time.

"I just didn't want mortality to be on the table for the dog that evening. It was either his life or mine, but I chose the both of us," he says.

According to Ilham, the dog’s owner later reached out through his father to express his gratitude.

“As long as their dog is back with them, I’m okay with it,” says Ilham.

Photos: Jufri Salim/Facebook