10:28am Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Patrick Gough
IF YOU thought acts of animal bravery were only for fictional characters like Lassie, Flipper, Gentle Ben or Skippy the bush kangaroo, think again.
Later this month Treo, an eight-year-old black Labrador, will be awarded with The Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
The medal is the highest award any animal can receive in recognition of conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict.
Treo saved many lives while sniffing out hidden bombs in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
The now retired dog, from 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit, North Luffenham barracks in Rutland, will be accompanied by his handler, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe, and will be presented with the award by Princess Alexandra.
Animals have been used in war for centuries but recently there has been more recognition for their bravery and extraordinary commitment to duty in wartime.
Treo will be the 63rd animal to receive the medal, created by veterinary charity the PDSA to honour gallantry in war.
Since the introduction of the award by PDSA’s founder Maria Dickin CBE in 1943 it has been awarded to 27 dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.
The PDSA has local branches in Poole and Bournemouth and director general Jan McLoughlin believes the award is justified: “We look forward to honouring Treo with the PDSA Dickin Medal.”
“The medal is recognised throughout the world as the animals’ Victoria Cross and is the highest award any animal can receive for bravery in the line of duty.
“Treo is, without a doubt, a worthy recipient,” added Jan.
Researchers at a university in Paris recently discovered that bravery and selfless sacrifice were not just human traits.
Dolphins, for example, will lift injured dolphins to the surface to help them breathe.
Monkeys will drive away attackers from vulnerable females or infants; while fruit bats will help females give birth. Ants frequently help protect other ants from predators – but only if they’re part of the same colony.
Heroic animal antics
• Trakr the German Shepherd located the last survivor inside the rubble of the Twin Towers following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York in 2001. Sadly he died last year, but his owner, a retired Canadian police officer, was presented with five cloned puppies.
• A stray dog dodged speeding traffic on a busy road to pull another badly injured dog to the verge. Sadly, the efforts were in vain, and the other dog later died.
• Lulu, a pot-bellied pig, lay in the road and stopped traffic until someone followed her into the house of her owner, who had suffered a heart attack. The woman survived, thanks to Lulu.
• Toby, a two-year-old Golden retriever, jumped on his owner’s chest to dislodge a piece of apple that was stuck in her throat.
• Winnie the cat woke her owners as lethal, odourless gas fumes filled their home. The couple’s 14-year-old son was already unconscious in another room, but the whole family escaped unscathed.
• Binti Jua, a gorilla at a zoo in Illinois, cradled a three-year-old boy who’d fallen 18ft into her enclosure. The gorilla carried the boy, unconscious, to a keeper. He spent four days in hospital, but went on to make a full recovery.
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