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| Sniffer dog Treo to be honoured | Sniffer dog Treo to be honoured |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| An army search dog who saved lives in Afghanistan is to be honoured with the animal version of the Victoria Cross. | An army search dog who saved lives in Afghanistan is to be honoured with the animal version of the Victoria Cross. |
| Black Labrador Treo, eight, will be awarded the Dickin Medal at the event at the Imperial War Museum in London. | Black Labrador Treo, eight, will be awarded the Dickin Medal at the event at the Imperial War Museum in London. |
| The now retired dog, from 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit, North Luffenham barracks in Rutland, twice found hidden bombs in Helmand province. | The now retired dog, from 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit, North Luffenham barracks in Rutland, twice found hidden bombs in Helmand province. |
| Treo will be the 63rd animal to receive the medal created by veterinary charity the PDSA to honour gallantry in war. | Treo will be the 63rd animal to receive the medal created by veterinary charity the PDSA to honour gallantry in war. |
| The medal, which is the highest accolade a military animal can be awarded, is due to be presented by Princess Alexandra. | The medal, which is the highest accolade a military animal can be awarded, is due to be presented by Princess Alexandra. |
| A total of 26 other dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat have won the award which was introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943. | A total of 26 other dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat have won the award which was introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943. |
| Important job | Important job |
| Handler Sgt Dave Heyhoe will join his dog at the ceremony on Wednesday. | Handler Sgt Dave Heyhoe will join his dog at the ceremony on Wednesday. |
| The pair have worked together for five years and Treo has now become a family pet. | The pair have worked together for five years and Treo has now become a family pet. |
| Sgt Heyhoe said: "We started our time together in Northern Ireland, then moved to North Luffenham, where we then went out to Afghanistan in 2008." | Sgt Heyhoe said: "We started our time together in Northern Ireland, then moved to North Luffenham, where we then went out to Afghanistan in 2008." |
| Treo was one of 25 dogs in the country supporting British troops on patrol. | Treo was one of 25 dogs in the country supporting British troops on patrol. |
| His work involved searching for arms and explosives. | His work involved searching for arms and explosives. |
| Sgt Heyhoe said: "It's very important. We are part and parcel of the search element. We're not the ultimate answer but we are an aid to search." | Sgt Heyhoe said: "It's very important. We are part and parcel of the search element. We're not the ultimate answer but we are an aid to search." |
| Treo was working as a forward detection dog in Sangin when in August and September 2008 he found two hidden "daisy chain" bombs made out of multiple explosives wired together. | Treo was working as a forward detection dog in Sangin when in August and September 2008 he found two hidden "daisy chain" bombs made out of multiple explosives wired together. |
| Sgt Dave Heyhoe says he and Treo understand each other | Sgt Dave Heyhoe says he and Treo understand each other |
| His handler said Treo's detective work saved the lives of many soldiers. | His handler said Treo's detective work saved the lives of many soldiers. |
| Sgt Heyhoe added the pair had a "rapport" and understood each other. | Sgt Heyhoe added the pair had a "rapport" and understood each other. |
| "Everyone will say that he is just a military working dog - yes, he is, but he is also a very good friend of mine. We look after each other." | "Everyone will say that he is just a military working dog - yes, he is, but he is also a very good friend of mine. We look after each other." |
| He said the award was for every dog and handler working in Afghanistan and Iraq. | He said the award was for every dog and handler working in Afghanistan and Iraq. |
| Maj Chris Ham, officer commanding the Canine Division at the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, said dogs played an important role in missions overseas. | Maj Chris Ham, officer commanding the Canine Division at the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, said dogs played an important role in missions overseas. |
| He said: "It's being recognised more and more in this day and age that the key capability the armed explosives dog does have lies particularly in finding improvised explosive devices." | He said: "It's being recognised more and more in this day and age that the key capability the armed explosives dog does have lies particularly in finding improvised explosive devices." |