Lamb sells for world record £367,000
A HERO special forces dog which ran through a hail of bullets to save commandos has been awarded the equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
Kuno, a Belgian Shepherd Malinois, was shot in both back legs as he leapt into action during a firefight in Afghanistan between British troops and a heavily armed al-Qaeda gunman.
But his bravery last year saved the lives of UK Special Boat Service men who were pinned down in a ditch by heavy gunfire from the jihadist’s highcalibre machine gun.
The three year-old dog sprinted at the shooter, disarming him despite being severely wounded.
The fate of the al-Qaeda man is unknown, but within minutes of him
WHAT A GEM
Double Diamond being disarmed, Kuno was given lifesaving treatment by his handler and medics in the back of a helicopter.
His injuries were so severe he required several operations before he was stable enough to fly back to the UK.
Part of one of Kuno’s rear paws had to be amputated, but he is thriving, having retired and is now the first UK military dog to be fitted with custom-made prosthetic limbs.
He will receive the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal – the animal Victoria Cross – for valour under fire. The PDSA, or People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, is a vet charity founded in 1917 to care for sick animals belonging to poorer people. Yesterday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Without Kuno, the course of this operation could have been very different, and it’s clear he saved the lives of British personnel that day.
“This raid was one of the most significant achievements against al-Qaeda in several years.” The dog now has a custom-made prosthesis to replace his missing paw, alongside an orthotic brace to support
DEFENCE SECRETARY BEN WALLACE ON HERO DOG’S ACTIONS
A BRITISH sheep has been sold for £367,500, setting a new world record.
Six-month-old Sportsmans Double Diamond is a Texel ram lamb, a Dutch breed known for its lean meat and wool used for hosiery yarns. The lamb, born at a farm in
Soldiers head out on patrol
Macclesfield, Cheshire, went for such a high price because “it is an exceptional lamb, the best I’ve ever seen,” said one of the buyers, Procters Farm flock managerJeff Aiken.
The animal was bought by a group of breeders at the auction in Lanark, Scotland,
The PDSA Dickin Medal
He is first military dog to get special limbs
his injured limb.
PDSA Director
General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “Kuno’s heroic actions undoubtedly changed the course of the mission and saved lives.”
The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by the organisation’s founder, Maria Dickin, in 1943 and is the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict.
Kuno is the 72nd recipient of the medal. Previous recipients include 34 dogs, 32 Second World War messenger pigeons, four horses and one cat.
He will be given the award ceremony later this year.
Without Kuno, this operation could have been very different. He clearly saved lives
at a who will use him to breed top-class lambs. Texel Sheep Society chief John Yates said: “This lamb has the potential to sire many, many rams which will go on to breed many thousands of lambs.” The average cost of a lamb in Britain is around £100.