Hero Army Dog Given Posthumous Award

A British Army dog trained to find explosives who was killed alongside her British Army handler in Afghanistan is to be awarded the highest military award for an animal.
Sasha, a four-year-old yellow Labrador, will be honoured with the animal charity PDSA's Dickin Medal after being credited with saving scores of lives by detecting Improvised Explosive Devices and other weapons.

Sasha was deployed with handlers from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, attached to the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

With her handler, she was sent in advance of patrols to find safe routes for soldiers, and her aim was to find weapons and IEDs.

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.

Sasha's determination to search and push forward...was a morale boost to the soldiers

"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."

When she was assigned to Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe in May 2008 the team were considered the best in the Kandahar region.

She died alongside her handler on 24 July 2008 when their routine patrol was ambushed and they were killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

An inquest heard that 24-year-old L/Cpl Rowe, from West Moor near Newcastle, died the day after he was due to return home as he wanted to stay on and complete a planned operation because he was concerned about a lack of cover for comrades.

PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin said: "This medal, recognised worldwide as the animals' Victoria Cross, honours both Sasha's unwavering service and her ultimate sacrifice.
"Her story exemplifies the dedication of man's best friend and reminds us all of the amazing contribution they make to our lives."

Colonel Neil Smith QHVS, Director Army Veterinary and Remount Services, said: "The Royal Army Veterinary Corps is delighted that PDSA is honouring Sasha.

"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.
"Sadly this award is posthumous as both Sasha and her handler Lance Corporal Ken Rowe were killed in enemy action in Afghanistan in 2008.

"Our thoughts remain with L/Cpl Rowe's family and this award will give us the opportunity to once more celebrate his and Sasha's immeasurable contributions to military operations."

The dog handler's mother Lyn Rowe said: "Kenneth always adored animals and loved working with his dogs. He took his role protecting his fellow solders very seriously. We are so proud of him, and he would be incredibly proud that Sasha's bravery is being recognised with the PDSA Dickin Medal."

Other winners of the Dickin Medal - named after the charity's founder Maria Dickin - include 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, three horses and a cat.