Dog Guidance Blog

Police dogs who worked in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings are being awarded an animals’ version of the George Cross.

Labradors Vinnie and Billy and Spaniel Jake will receive the honour for their work sniffing out possible explosives.

They represent all 14 dogs who worked in the immediate aftermath of the London terror attacks in 2005.

The dogs will receive the PDSA Gold Medal from the charity’s patron Princess Alexandra on 3 July.

The dog teams were deployed to locate possible secondary terrorist devices at the four bomb attack sites.

The animals checked access was safe for emergency services, who were preparing to tend to those left trapped or injured.

Marilyn Rydstrom, director general of the charity PDSA, said: “In the face of indescribable devastation and trauma, the dogs remained calm and steadfast.

“Their gallantry helped save lives by ensuring medical assistance reached the casualties as quickly as safely as possible.”

The PDSA Gold Medal can be awarded to “any animal that is instrumental in saving human or animal life when its own life is in jeopardy or through exceptional devotion to duty”.

PDSA, originally known as The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, is the UK’s leading veterinary charity.

Source BBC News, UK