'Hobo' flies flag for dogs of war in Afghanistan

Serving as a bomb-sniffing dog of war, he has earned the title of man's best friend.

So, when black Labrador Hobo came under fire in Afghanistan's notorious Helmand province, troops battled to save him.

Now, just ten days after he was blasted three times with shrapnel, he is ready to return to the front line.

Hobo was injured on 21 July in a Taleban ambush while on operation in Nahr-e Saraj.

His patrol was forced to take cover in a compound as insurgents attacked with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.

But moments later, four grenades came flying over the compound wall and peppered the dusty floor.

Hobo, who lay flat on the ground, was pelted with shards of metal.

The dog, who is trained to seek out deadly explosives, was hit in the neck, abdomen and rear.

Some fragments were so hot they cauterised two of his injuries immediately while another piece cut straight through his neck and left him bleeding heavily.

Captain George Shipman, serving with 29 Commando Royal Artillery attached to A Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, fought to keep the dog alive.