Despite his sweet nature, he’s had to watch people walk circles around him and fearfully avoid his gaze. However, one act of heroism has now managed to sway peoples view of Simba, and his owner, Arjanit Mehana, hopes that the pup’s lifesaving effort will also encourage people to question their negative biases against bully breeds in general.

Many people believe that pit bulls are inherently aggressive and dangerous, and these misconceptions have terrible real-life consequences: pit bulls have become banned in several places and pit bulls living at shelters have a difficult time finding new homes. But pit bulls are not, in fact, inherently mean or aggressive dogs. They can be very gentle, social and affectionate. Like any other breed, their upbringing significantly shapes their behaviour.

But like many people, including the other residents of the apartment building, an old woman living one floor below Simba and Mehana was terribly afraid of the friendly pup.

But the woman’s fears were soon about to evaporate. Despite her fear and dislike of him, Simba was about to save her life.

One fateful day, Simba’s neighbour collapsed inside her apartment and broke her hip. Weak and in pain, she lay on the floor, unable to get up and without any way to get help. For two days she lay helpless on the floor, acutely aware that her life was in grave danger until finally, an unexpected hero realized that she was in trouble.

Simba and Mehana were on their way back up to their apartment after a long walk, when Simba stopped outside their neighbour’s door. Despite his best efforts, Mehana could not get Simba to budge from the door. While trying to pull the stubborn pit bull towards the stairs, Mehana suddenly heard a voice calling for help. After that, everything happened very fast. Mehana opened the door and when he saw his neighbour on the ground he quickly called an ambulance which came and rushed her to the hospital.

Thanks to Simba, the neighbour survived her ordeal. Her view of Simba completely changed and as news of Simba’s heroic act spread through the building, more and more people grew to realize what a sweet boy he is. Hopefully, Simba’s story will inspire more people to open their hearts and minds and stop painting all pit bulls with the same brush.