Hero dog Kuno awarded animal world’s Victoria Cross for saving comrades in Al Qaeda firefight

He and his human handlers were pinned down by enemy fighters

A French special forces dog called Leuk has been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal after he saved lives by cornering insurgents during an anti-terrorist operation in Mali. AFP

Kuno, a retired military working dog, who suffered life-changing injuries while supporting British Forces fighting Al Qaeda, was awarded the Dicken Medal in November 2020. Courtesy PDSA

Pinned down by grenade and machine-gun fire from an insurgent, the assault force was unable to move without taking casualties. Without hesitation, Kuno charged through a hail of gunfire to tackle the gunman, breaking the deadlock and changing the course of the attack, allowing the mission to be completed successfully. Courtesy PDSA

The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by Maria Dickin in 1943. Dicken is seen here presenting homing pigeon Winkie with the Dicken Medal in 1944. Winkie delivered a message that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew in 1942.

Actress Nancy Price giving a speech to the assembled crowd, with a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal, at the dedication of a memorial to the birds who died in active service during the war, London, 1946. Getty Images

A pigeon named Mercury is awarded the Dickin Medal in 1946. Mercury completed a 480 mile flight from Northern Denmark. Getty Images

Judy the English Pointer receives a Dickin Medal in 1946. Formerly a ship's dog on board HMS Gnat and HMS Grasshopper, Judy helped save the lives of servicemen after the Grasshopper was sunk. She then spent three and a half years in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, narrowly escaping death many times. Getty Images

A Newfoundland named Gander was another Dickin Medal winner. Gander received the medal for his gallant exploits at the battle of Lye Mun, Hong Kong in 1941. The brave Newfoundland was killed by a grenade which it had chased, picked up and carried back towards the Japanese, saving the lives of dozens of Canadian soldiers. Getty Images

Simon, the ships cat of HMS Amethyst and winner of the Dickin Medal in 1949, received the award for catching rats and protecting food supplies during the time the ship was at war. Getty Images

Buster helped save the lives of troops and civilians in southern Iraq when he located a hidden cache of arms, explosives and bomb-making equipment. He was awarded the medal in 2003. Getty Images

Mali, a Belgian Malinois, wearing his Dickin Medal in 2017. Mali took part in an 8 hour assault on Taliban positions in Afghanistan, despite being injured by grenade explosions three times. Getty Images

A military dog was awarded the animal world’s Victoria Cross for bravery in tackling Al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan.

Kuno, 4, a Belgian Shepherd Malinois who served with the British military, suffered life-changing injuries in the assault but also saved the lives of his human comrades.

He was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal on Tuesday for bravery and devotion to duty during an assault on an Al Qaeda post.

“Kuno is a true hero. His actions that day undoubtedly changed the course of a vital mission, saving multiple lives in the process. And despite serious, life-changing injuries, he performed his duty without faltering,” said PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin.

In the May 2019 mission, Kuno and his human crew had already survived incoming machinegun fire when they were pinned down by grenade blasts.

Kuno charged through a hail of gunfire to tackle the fighter, changing the course of the attack, and allowing the mission to be completed successfully.

Kuno was wounded by bullets in both back legs and needed a rear paw to be amputated. He now has custom-made prosthetic limbs and has retired from service.

The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by PDSA’s founder, Maria Dickin CBE, in 1943, who wanted animals to be recognised for their heroic actions.