Woos a clever monkey
A HERO dog is to receive a “Victoria Cross” for animals after he ran through a hail of bullets to save British commandos.
Kuno was blasted in two of his legs as he leapt into action in a firefight in Afghanistan between our troops and an alqaeda gunman.
The three-year-old Belgian Shepherd Malinois and his handler were deployed on a raid at a compound in 2019 when they came under attack. He charged through a hail of gunfire to bring down the shooter.
The hound’s bravery saved the lives of Special Boat Servicemen who had been pinned down in a ditch by the jihadist’s machine gun.
Kuno suffered such serious injuries he required several operations on his leg injuries.
But he is now thriving after becoming the first UK military working dog to be fitted with custom-made prosthetic limbs.
And the dog is set to be
■ awarded the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross – for valour under fire.
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.
“Kuno’s story reminds us not only of the dedicated service of our soldiers and military dogs, but also the great care that the UK armed forces provide to the animals that serve alongside them.” Kuno will become the 72nd recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal, with previous honours going to 34 dogs, 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, four horses and one cat.
PDSA director-general Jan Mcloughlin said: “Kuno’s heroic actions undoubtedly changed the course of the mission and saved lives.
“He took on the enemy without fear or hesitation, never faltering from his duty despite being seriously injured.”
A MONKEY rejected by every female in his group has fathered three babies in a year – to the surprise of zookeepers.
Maarten the colobus monkey’s offspring have even got two different mothers.
It’s a far cry from when he first arrived lacking confidence, described as a wet blanket and “too shy to approach the ladies”, according to Sophie Leadbitter, head keeper at Drusillas Park zoo in East Sussex
But Sophie said now “he really has stepped into his natural role as alpha and seems to be very successfully wooing his ladies”.