Heroic search dog to be given 'Victoria Cross' for finding roadside bombs in Afghanistan
23 replies, posted
[quote=DailyMail]
An Army search dog that has saved the lives of scores of British soldiers in Afghanistan is to receive the canine equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
Treo, an eight-year-old black labrador, has spent the past five years sniffing out bombs and weapons hidden by the Taliban.
Yet as a puppy he was a badly behaved rebel in danger of being put down until intensive Army training turned him into the gutsy canine described by his handler, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe, as the best military dog he has served alongside.
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Best friends: Sergeant Dave Heyhoe with Treo in the Afghan desert
Now Treo is to be honoured with the Dickin Medal from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals for his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
It will be placed around his neck this month by the charity’s patron, Princess Alexandra.
Treo’s heroics include finding a ‘daisy chain’ improvised explosive device (IED) while working as a forward detection dog in Sangin, Helmand Province, in March 2008.
A daisy chain is two or more bombs wired together and concealed by the Taliban on the side of a path to maximise casualties among soldiers on patrol.
[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/02/06/article-0-082D1BEF000005DC-765_468x676.jpg[/img]
Hero: Twice the dog saved soldiers and civilians from death and injury by sniffing out explosives which had been wired together and hidden
[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/02/06/article-0-082D1B83000005DC-533_468x286.jpg[/img]
Hard at work: Sergeant Heyhoe will accompany Treo to collect his prestigious award in London
In September 2008, Treo saved another platoon from guaranteed casualties when he again found a daisy chain.
According to the Army, his actions have also saved other soldiers and civilians from death or serious injury.
Both Prince Charles and Gordon Brown have been introduced to the labrador on his return to Britain from his many six-month tours of duty.
Treo is attached to 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit, Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
Sgt Heyhoe, 39, who will accompany Treo to the award ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London, described Treo as his ‘mate and best canine friend’.
PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said last night: ‘We look forward to honouring Treo with the Dickin Medal.
'It is recognised throughout the world as the animals’ Victoria Cross. Treo is without doubt a worthy recipient.’
Treo will become the 63rd animal to receive the Dickin Medal for wartime service.
Since its introduction by the PDSA’s founder, Maria Dickin, in 1943, it has been given to 26 other dogs, 32 Second World War messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.
In February 2007, two Dickin Medals were awarded – one posthumously to Lucky on behalf of all the anti-terrorist dogs on duty during the Malaya campaign in the Fifties; and another to Sadie, an Army explosives search dog, for bravery in Afghanistan in 2005 alongside her handler, Lance Corporal Karen Yardley.
A Defence source said last night: ‘There is no doubt that Treo has saved many, many lives through his expertise.’
[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/02/06/article-0-082D1BBA000005DC-461_233x469.jpg[/img]
The Dickin medal. The award was introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943
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One word: Badass.
This makes me feel warm inside, knowing such beautiful relationships between species. Hell, I find it funny that we practically treat dogs better than us in modern society.
[editline]9th March 2011[/editline]
Oh, daily mail spotted.
Cute doggins.
A dog that is trained to sniff out explosives, sniffed out some explosives.
Eghhh sickly PR campaigns.
[QUOTE=NoDachi;28509185]A dog that is trained to sniff out explosives, sniffed out some explosives.
Eghhh sickly PR campaigns.[/QUOTE]
A person that is trained to go to war goes to war
A doctor that is trained to save lives saves lives
A runner that is trained to run runs
Waaah waaah
Besides it's being awarded by an independent charity so it's got nothing to do with army PR.
That doggy is so cute!
:3
[QUOTE=smurfy;28509695]A person that is trained to go to war goes to war
A doctor that is trained to save lives saves lives
A runner that is trained to run runs[/QUOTE]
Go make a thread on it.
That's one awesome dog, but medals for animals? It's not like the dog's going to know it's merit.
On a side note;
[quote]The Dickin medal. The award was introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943[/quote]
Teehee. Dickin'.
I hope they give him a big ass steak or something. Not like the dog realizes that the random piece of metal they give him is cool.
[QUOTE=redonkulous;28511948]I hope they give him a big ass steak or something. Not like the dog realizes that the random piece of metal they give him is cool.[/QUOTE]
It's like us picking a stick up off the floor, then and alien coming from out of space and handing us a plastic bag.
Sort of.
Has the human race really gone that low to give an animal a medal?
[QUOTE=luke7dude;28513121]Has the human race really gone that low to give an animal a medal?[/QUOTE]
Why the hell is it 'low'?
[QUOTE=David29;28513357]Why the hell is it 'low'?[/QUOTE]
A medal is meant to be respected and when you give it to something that licks its arse. It kinda looses its respect. And to be total honest the Dog probably doesn't know the risk's or what its doing.
[QUOTE=luke7dude;28513400]A medal is meant to be respected and when you give it to something that licks its arse. It kinda looses its respect. And to be total honest the Dog probably doesn't know the risk's or what its doing.[/QUOTE]
Regardless, what it did potentially saved many lives. Its actions deserve that medal.
[QUOTE=NoDachi;28509185]A dog that is trained to sniff out explosives, sniffed out some explosives.
Eghhh sickly PR campaigns.[/QUOTE]
:frog: you were doing the same in the thread about a dog dying if you don't give a shit noone gives a fuck so gtfo.
on topic: this dog deserve's everything he gets they truly are man's best friend.
What a waste of metal, the dog doesn't know any better.
They should make the medal out of dog biscuit, then he will eat it.
[QUOTE=Source;28516492]:frog: you were doing the same in the thread about a dog dying if you don't give a shit noone gives a fuck so gtfo.
on topic: this dog deserve's everything he gets they truly are man's best friend.[/QUOTE]
A dog must have raped him when he was a kid, i see no other reason for this blind hatred.
Dumb dogs. How dare they commend an animal for saving humans lives selflessly. Grrr i hate species that arent mine.
Nobody thinks the dog is going to understand the medal. It's more of a ceremonial thing just to let people know, and to spread respect for the dog/dogs that are helping out there. There's no problem here.
[editline]9th March 2011[/editline]
Seriously why even argue about this. I mean, really?
[QUOTE=luke7dude;28513400]A medal is meant to be respected and when you give it to something that licks its arse. It kinda looses its respect. And to be total honest the Dog probably doesn't know the risk's or what its doing.[/QUOTE]
It's not like they're giving it an actual Victoria Cross, it's just some award someone made up to give to animals.
[IMG]http://knowyourmeme.com/i/000/052/812/original/Deal_with_it_dog_gif.gif?1275684729[/IMG]
[QUOTE=luke7dude;28513400]A medal is meant to be respected and when you give it to something that licks its arse. It kinda looses its respect. And to be total honest the Dog probably doesn't know the risk's or what its doing.[/QUOTE]
Except when you know, this medal was specifically made for animals.
[QUOTE=Latency;28518547]Nobody thinks the dog is going to understand the medal. It's more of a ceremonial thing just to let people know, and to spread respect for the dog/dogs that are helping out there. There's no problem here.
[editline]9th March 2011[/editline]
Seriously why even argue about this. I mean, really?[/QUOTE]
because some people itt have been traumatised by dogs
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