Diesel will be the 66th recipient
French police dog Diesel, who was tragically killed during a Paris terror raid last month, is to be honoured with the PDSA Dickin Medal - recognised worldwide as the animals' Victoria Cross.
Instituted by the PDSA in 1943, the medal is the highest honour an animal can receive and Diesel will be the 66th recipient.
The seven-year-old Belgian malinois served with the French National Research, Assistance, Intervention and Deterrence special anti-terrorism force (RAID).
On the morning of Wednesday, 18 November, five days after the Paris attacks, French national police forces, including RAID, were involved in a security operation in the suburb of St-Denis.
Armed police raided a flat where the suspected leader of the Paris attacks, along with six other terrorists, were staying. Diesel's handler, who cannot be named for security reasons, was on duty as sporadic gunfire came from the apartment.
Diesel's handler reports: "After a few minutes we decided to send in the dog to see if the zone was clear. He did a tour of the first room, then he went into the second room and dashed forward. I think he'd found someone. Then I lost sight of him and the gunfire started again."
They continued: "His role was to open the way for the rest of us. He uses all his senses to detect if anyone is present and if he can get to them, to go and bite them. If not, he stands and barks to indicate where the person is hiding.
"I has absolute confidence in him. and him in me. Both us us knew how the other would behave in the situation."
Sadly, following the road, police confirmed on social media that Diesel had been killed.
Major RULP Jean-Marc Lenglet from the French National Police, said: “Diesel’s handler has been deeply affected by the death of his dog, as have many thousands of well-wishers who sent messages of condolence for Diesel who died in the service of his country.”
Diesel's PDSA Dickin Medal will be formally presented in 2016. Commenting on the honour, PDSA director general, Jan McLoughlin, said: “Following the tragic terrorist events in Paris last month, where many innocent people lost their lives, Diesel was instrumental in helping the French police locate and deal with the perpetrators.
“When news emerged of Diesel’s death there was a huge outpouring of grief . As guardians of the world’s most prestigious animal awards programme, we were inundated by messages from members of the public to recognise his heroism.
“The PDSA Dickin Medal recognises conspicuous devotion to duty in the theatre of conflict and Diesel is a truly deserving recipient. His gallant actions helped to protect human life in the face of imminent danger and we are very proud to honour him in this way.”
Image (C) PDSA
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