LOS ANGELES — The parents of a 4-year-old boy who was saved from a dog attack by the family’s cat, Tara, say the worldwide attention the viral video has generated has “just been insane.”

Within two days of the Triantafilos posting the video of the incident on YouTube, the video had garnered nearly 17 million views, propelling the family from a modest suburban Bakersfield, Calif., neighborhood to worldwide fame.

They have sat down for TV interviews with major news programs and fielded calls from as far as Hong Kong and Ireland since posting the video Wednesday, said Erica Triantafilo, whose son was attacked by the neighbor’s dog.

“It’s just been insane,” she said.

Tara, however, hasn’t been fazed by the spotlight, appearing calm and purring during live interviews. She is scheduled to “throw” the ceremonial first pitch at a Bakersfield Blaze minor league baseball game on May 20.

“She is just getting love,” Triantafilo said. “She’s mostly being loved on.”