Dog gets Iraq bravery award

The Australian ^ | December 10, 2003 | From correspondents in London

[11th_VA]

GOOD boy!

Buster, a six-year-old Springer spaniel, earned more than a pat on the head overnight when he was awarded Britain's highest animal bravery medal for his role in breaking a resistance cell in Iraq.

The British army canine received the Dickin Medal at a ceremony at London's Imperial Museum for discovering a cache of weapons and explosives in Safwan, southern Iraq, in March.

Danny's handler, Sgt Danny Morgan, said the building was thought to be the headquarters of extremists responsible for attacks on British forces, and that Buster succeeded after soldiers found nothing.

Buster quickly gave Morgan an indication he had found something by stopping and staring at a wardrobe. When the wardrobe was moved a piece of tin fell from the back to reveal a cavity.

Inside were Russian AK47 assault rifles, a pistol, six grenades, ammunition, two kilograms of cocaine and propaganda material.

Morgan, 38, who is based at the military dogs' training school in Aldershot, southern England, said it was "fantastic" for Buster to be recognised for succeeding where humans had failed.

"It is such an honour, not just for Buster, for myself and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, but also for all the dogs that were deployed" in Iraq, Morgan said.

The medal was presented by Princess Alexandra, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and patron of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. The charity's founder, Maria Dickin, created the medal in 1943 to honour animals that served with distinction with British forces during World War II.

Buster is the 60th recipient of the award, which has been given to 32 World War II carrier pigeons, 23 dogs, three horses and a ship's cat.

[11th_VA]

Deserves a seat next to Barney at the State of the Union Address ...

[MarkeyD]

Dogs are people too!

[joesnuffy]

I bet he would rather eat the intestines out of some road kill then get a medal...
good doggie....

[Blood of Tyrants]

A medal? I bet Buster would be much more happy with a doggie treat.

[trebb]

Dicken Medal - sounds like something that requires a female dog so the winner has something to put his...well, you get the idea...

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

The British army canine received the Dickin Medal

I had a randy male dog that I kept indoors. Had I let him run loose, he would have qualified for a Dickin Medal, big-time.

[Born Conservative]

I wonder whether he's any relation to Spot Bush?

 

[Born Conservative]

Buster and his handler.

[Blzbba]

So when can we expect to see his biography and watch on the morning talk-shows, like Jessica Lynch?

[skinkinthegrass]

...and a CAT! BARK! BARK! BARK! :))

[boxerblues]

ping

[Doomonyou]

Buster, a six-year-old Springer spaniel,

I new he wasn't a french poodle...

[DannyTN]

Go Dog Go!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Buster, a six-year-old Springer spaniel...was awarded Britain's highest animal bravery medal for his role in breaking a resistance cell in Iraq.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Surprising the bad guys, who didn't know dogs were secret US weapons of mass affection and loyalty.

Wonder what the Moroccan landmine monkeys get?

[SAMWolf]

Rub dead Iraqi's in pig fat and let the dogs eat em. He';d like that better than a medal.

[Grampa Dave]

Congratulations Guys, one of your guys did great!

Go Dogs!

[AgentEcho]

I've never been prouder of my tagline...

Æ

[MarkeyD]

I haven't yet figured out how to do tag lines, and I've looked.

I think mine would be: My dog is the best bitch I know.

:)

[Hillary's Folly]

you gotta love the Springer Spaniel. A wonderful breed.