Yahoo News British special forces dog wins 'animal Victoria Cross' for heroics against the Taliban
A British Military working dog has been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross – for his ‘outstanding courage’ in saving the lives of troops while fighting the Taliban.
Mali, a Belgian Malinois, battled on under fire despite shrapnel from a Taliban device tearing through his legs and stomach.
His handler, whose identity is being protected for security reasons, was also awarded a gallantry medal after the battle.
The heroic canine assisted with a highly sensitive military operation in Afghanistan to secure an enemy stronghold in a gruelling seven-and-half-hour operation.
Mali twice braved a journey through direct fire to search for explosives and indicated the presence of insurgents to his army colleagues – providing vital milliseconds of warning to British forces.
He was seriously injured in three grenade blasts, first taking shrapnel to his body and later sustaining injuries to his face that saw one of his teeth knocked out and an ear torn in two.
Despite his wounds, Mali stayed by the side of his handler and continued to push forwards.
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He played an instrumental role in breaking the stalemate that had begun to develop in the multi-storey building and the eventual successful resolution.
He received emergency treatment in Afghanistan before being flown home to the UK, where he made a full recovery.
PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin said: ‘Mali has displayed a truly awesome ability and determination to seek out explosives and insurgents during a key operation.
‘To achieve this while exposed to close combat and such intense enemy attack, makes him an incredibly worthy recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal.’
Corporal Daniel Hatley trained Mali as a puppy before he was deployed to Afghanistan.
He said: ‘I am extremely proud of Mali. The way he conducted himself when it mattered most enabled my colleagues to achieve success in close combat.
‘Being awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal recognises Mali’s vital role within the force that day.’
Mali is only the 69th recipient of the medal. Other winners include 31 other dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, four horses and one cat.
