BRITISH ARMY DOG AWARDED DICKIN MEDAL

A British Army dog killed alongside her handler in Afghanistan is to be honoured with what is called the highest military award for an animal.

Sasha, a four-year-old yellow Labrador who was trained to hunt out explosives, is credited with saving the lives of scores of soldiers and civilians.

She will be awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, which the charity says is the animal version of the Victoria Cross.

The PDSA said: "Sasha's determination to search and push forward - despite gruelling conditions and relentless Taliban attacks - was a morale boost to the soldiers who entrusted their lives to her weapon-finding capability.

"On one occasion recalled by regimental colleagues, Sasha was searching a building in Garmsir when she detected two mortars and a large quantity of weaponry, including explosives and mines.

"This find alone undoubtedly saved the lives of many soldiers and civilians."

In 2008 she was assigned to 24-year-old L/Cpl Rowe and the pair were considered the best in the Kandahar region.

L/Cpl Rowe and Sasha working together in Afghanistan

They died together on 24 July 2008 when their routine patrol was ambushed by a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

L/Cpl Rowe, from West Moor near Newcastle, had been due to return home the day before he died but wanted to stay on to complete a planned operation because he was concerned about a lack of cover for comrades.

Sasha had 15 confirmed finds of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), mortars and hidden weaponry.

Col Neil Smith QHVS, director of the Army Veterinary and Remount Services, said: "This prestigious award recognises how her devotion and skills undoubtedly saved the lives of many troops in Afghanistan, and acknowledges the excellent work our military working dogs and their handlers do.

To read the complete article, see: Army dog killed in Afghanistan given posthumous medal (www.bbc.com/news/uk-27186205)

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