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Brit army dog awarded for Iraq arms find
AP | 12/09/03 | JACK GARLAND

Posted on 12/09/2003 2:05:29 PM PST by kattracks

LONDON (AP) — Buster, a 6-year-old Springer spaniel, earned more than a pat on the head Tuesday 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.

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

He said Buster, however, persisted, eventually stopping and staring at a wardrobe. When the wardrobe was moved a piece of tin fell from the back, revealing a cavity.

Inside were Russian AK47 assault rifles, a pistol, six grenades, ammunition, 4.4 pounds 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 recognized for succeeding where humans had failed.

"It is such an honor, 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 honor 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.



TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: cache; dog; iraq; medal; wardogs; workingdogs

1 posted on 12/09/2003 2:05:30 PM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks
The British army canine received the Dickin Medal

which he promptly ate.

2 posted on 12/09/2003 2:08:19 PM PST by CaptRon
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To: kattracks
Didn't Buster do something else as well ?
3 posted on 12/09/2003 2:08:31 PM PST by cmsgop (Whatever You Do,..... Do Not PING Arthur McGowan)
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To: cmsgop
They ought to have Buster sniff Saddam's old longjohns, then turn him loose to find the SOB.
4 posted on 12/09/2003 2:11:06 PM PST by Argus ((Ninety-nine and forty-four one-hundredths percent Pure Reactionary))
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To: cmsgop
Didn't Buster do something else as well ?

Yes, Buster has been in the news before, maybe around the start of the war. I know I read it, and I forwarded it to a friend.

I just can't remember what he did.

5 posted on 12/09/2003 2:11:34 PM PST by Semper911 (For some people, bread and circus are not enough. Hence, FreeRepublic.com)
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To: CaptRon
Medal? Schmedal!!!

You want to show your appreciation to a dog for a job well done give him a great romp and a huge steak.

Well done, Buster!!!
6 posted on 12/09/2003 2:19:22 PM PST by Ronin (Qui docet discit!)
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To: CaptRon
They need to get him a poodle bitch.
7 posted on 12/09/2003 2:20:58 PM PST by BrooklynGOP (www.logicandsanity.com)
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To: kattracks
Don't forget that Buster is the same breed as the President's dog, Spot -- son of Millie, born in the White House. Let's hear it for the brave war dogs!
8 posted on 12/09/2003 2:25:35 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: kattracks

President Bush and his dog, Spot

9 posted on 12/09/2003 2:28:57 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: kattracks
Awesome pup :-)
10 posted on 12/09/2003 2:32:45 PM PST by Tamzee (Pennsylvanians for Bush! Join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PA4BushCheney/)
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To: BrooklynGOP
You got that right!
11 posted on 12/09/2003 2:32:51 PM PST by refermech
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To: afraidfortherepublic
My Springer is a bit old to be a war dog, but I've never had a dog that sniffed around so much! When I take her to the doggie park, I swear, she would stay there for hours, just sniffing every square inch of the place. Old Mandy is probably the best dog I have ever owned.
12 posted on 12/09/2003 2:38:05 PM PST by basil (basil)
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To: kattracks
PICTURES PLEASE
13 posted on 12/09/2003 2:46:26 PM PST by chicagolady (Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night)
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To: basil
I have a Golden Retriever who thinks he's a blood hound. He forgets to complete his retrieves because he's so interested in sniffing the territory! It reminds me of a Dave Barry quote that a friend sent me recently:
Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard. --Dave Barry

Perhaps we should consider sniffing the 'doggie' version of FreeRepublic!

14 posted on 12/09/2003 3:04:15 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: kattracks
Good dog bump
15 posted on 12/09/2003 3:12:24 PM PST by austingirl
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Love the Dave Barry quote! Also like your idea about "sniffing" FR--LOL!
16 posted on 12/09/2003 9:08:04 PM PST by basil (basil)
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To: kattracks
I don't mean to quibble, but I wouldn't exactly describe finding a cache of explosives as extremely brave.
17 posted on 12/10/2003 10:59:28 PM PST by gd124
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