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WATCH: British military dog receives 'animal equivalent of Victoria Cross' for bravery

A British military working dog has received the PDSA Dickin Medal for bravery. It is the animal e...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.16 17 Nov 2017


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WATCH: British military dog re...

WATCH: British military dog receives 'animal equivalent of Victoria Cross' for bravery

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.16 17 Nov 2017


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A British military working dog has received the PDSA Dickin Medal for bravery.

It is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Mali, a Belgian Malinois, was presented with the medal for helping save the lives of troops in Afghanistan.

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The eight-year-old was part of a British military unit deployed there in 2012.

During his tenure, Mali was deployed to assist in an operation to secure an enemy stronghold in a multi-storey building.

He was sent through direct fire on two separate occasions to search for explosives.

He also indicated the presence of insurgents numerous times.

Mali was seriously injured by three grenade blasts: the first two explosions caused injuries to his chest, front and rear legs.

Another blast detonated close to his face, causing the loss of Mali’s front tooth and damage to his right ear.

He was presented with his medal on Friday at The People’s Palace in London.

The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced in 1943 and is the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in British military conflict.

It has been awarded 69 times, plus one honorary medal, which was awarded in 2014.

The recipients comprise of 32 pigeons, 32 dogs, four horses and one cat.


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