A Special Forces dog who helped save the lives of British troops in Afghanistan will today become the first living canine in seven years to get an animal Victoria Cross.
Mali, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, will receive the honour for its heroic actions during a covert operation in Kabul in 2012, where it helped flush out the Taliban from a tower.
The attack dog served alongside troops from Britain’s Special Boat Service (SBS) in the top-secret seven-and-a-half hour mission.
Mali, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, will receive the honour for its heroic actions during a covert operation in Kabul in 2012, where it helped flush out the Taliban from a tower
It detected insurgents and sniffed out explosives while under ferocious fire.
The dog’s citation says: ‘The significance of his actions during this seven-and-a-half-hour mission saw him perform above and beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions.
‘Mali displayed outstanding courage in the face of fire and there is no doubt that his actions throughout the operation were pivotal in the success of breaking an enemy stronghold, helping to save multiple lives and prevent further injury.’
Footage from the time showed Britain’s elite unit, wearing the uniform of Afghan soldiers, scale the building where the Taliban had been hiding.
It then shows Mali, who was injured in three grenade blasts, carried away by its handler.
The handler’s identity has been protected for security reasons but he was awarded a gallantry medal for his role in the assault.
The attack dog served alongside troops from Britain’s Special Boat Service (SBS) in the top-secret seven-and-a-half hour mission
Mali, who is now attached to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), pictured in Afghanistan
Western forces said at the time that the mission was carried out by the Afghans, but last night military sources confirmed the assault involved a handful of UK Special Forces.
Mali, who is now attached to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), will be presented with the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, at a ceremony in London today.
It is the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict.
The citation said: ‘Mali, a Belgian Malinois, will receive the honour for his heroic actions during an operation in Afghanistan in 2012, where he assisted an assault force in securing a key enemy stronghold.’
During the assault in April 2012, Mali was sent through direct fire on two separate occasions to conduct searches for explosives.
‘He also indicated the presence of insurgents numerous times, giving the assault force vital milliseconds to engage the enemy in close quarter combat’, it was said.
During the operation, Mali was hoisted up the outside of the building several times to provide the assault force with a key foothold to attack the insurgents.
There was numerous casualties, including Mali, who was seriously injured by three grenade blasts.
The first two explosions caused injuries to its chest, front and rear legs. A further blast detonated close to his face, causing the loss of Mali’s front tooth and damage to his right ear.
Mali, an Army dog who is to be honored with a PDSA Dickin Medal, is pictured with one of her handlers Cpl Daniel Hatley
The citation added: ‘Despite his injuries, Mali continued his duties and pushed forward, remaining close to his handler.
‘He played a key role in breaking the stalemate that had begun to develop in the building, providing impetus for the host nation and UK forces to continue to fight and bring about a successful resolution.’
After receiving emergency treatment for his injuries, Mali returned home from Afghanistan, where he made a full recovery.
Corporal Daniel Hatley, who trained Mali as a puppy before he was deployed to Afghanistan, said of his award: ‘I am extremely proud of Mali.
‘The way he conducted himself when it mattered most enabled my colleagues to achieve success in close combat.’
The Dickin medal is the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict
The PDSA charity’s Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: ‘Mali has displayed a truly awesome ability and determination to seek out explosives and insurgents during a key operation.
‘To achieve this while exposed to close combat and such intense enemy attack, makes him an incredibly worthy recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal.
‘It is even more poignant that we were able to make Mali’s award today on our charity’s 100th birthday.’
Lieutenant Colonel Abby DuBaree from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps said: ‘Stories like Mali’s are sobering to read and help to demonstrate the key role that animals continue to play in our armed forces.’
Brigadier Roly Walker, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) said: ‘As long as we’ve had soldiers, we’ve had animals; and I think we always will have them.
‘Today’s award of a PDSA Dickin Medal to Mali recognises this unique bond.’
Although retired from front line duties, Mali continues to work at the RAVC’s Defence Animal Centre in Leicestershire, where he and his current handler Corporal Daniel Hatley, help to train new dog handlers.
The medal was instituted by PDSA’s founder, Maria Dickin CBE, in 1943. Mali will be the 69th recipient of the award, recipients include 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, 32 dogs, including Mali, 4 horses and a cat.
The last dog to receive a Dickin Medal was Sasha, who was awarded it posthumously in 2014.
Sasha was killed in an ambush alongside her handler Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe in Afghanistan in 2008.
The last living British dog to be given the medal was in 2010.
Treo received the honour for its actions in 2008, when it was deployed to Helmand Province to search for weapons and munitions concealed by the Taliban.
Its citation said: ‘Treo’s actions and devotion to his duties, while in the throes of conflict, saved many lives.’
We Also Serve: The Dickin Medal
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in World War II.
It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words ‘For Gallantry’ and ‘We Also Serve’ within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown, and pale blue.
It is awarded to animals that have displayed ‘conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units’.
The award is commonly referred to as ‘the animals’ Victoria Cross’ (although the Victoria Cross Trust has opposed this association).
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in World War II