Labrador is the latest Afghan hero to receive award

Published on Saturday 6 February 2010 19:34

AN UNLIKELY war hero from the conflict in Afghanistan is to be honoured with the highest possible military decoration.

But the latest recipient of the Dickin medal, the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, is not a soldier, but a dog called Treo.

The eight-year-old black labrador is credited with saving countless lives in Afghanistan last year by sniffing out hidden roadside bombs.

Search dog Treo twice saved soldiers and civilians from catastrophe while out on patrol in Helmand province by locating explosives which had been wired together in a daisy chain and hidden on their route.

Princess Alexandra will present the medal to Treo at a ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London on 24 February. The medal was created by leading veterinary charity the PDSA and is recognised as the highest award an animal can receive for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict.

Treo will be accompanied by his handler, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe, of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment. The pair have worked together for five years.

PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: "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 doubt, a worthy recipient."

The award was introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943.

Treo will be the 63rd animal to receive the medal, following in the pawprints of 26 other dogs, 32 Second World War messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.