Kuno, a Belgian Shepherd Malinois, braved through a barrage of Al-Qaeda machine gun fire to save his fellow soldiers and lost both his back legs in the process. Now, his actions would not go unnoticed as he is set to receive the animal equivalent of a Medal of Honor.
In recognition of his courage and bravery during a raid on an Al-Qaeda compound in Afghanistan in 2019, Kuno will receive the PDSA Dickin Medal for Valour.
Kuni accompanied the elite British Special Boat Service (SBS) and local forces when they came under attack with grenades and machine gun-fire, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The soldiers were not able to move without being injured, but Kuno leaped into action and broke the deadlock, added MoD in its report.
He was struck on both back legs, but he continued to bite and wrestle the insurgent to the ground, helping the raid to continue successfully.
“He took on the enemy without fear or hesitation, never faltering from his duty despite being seriously injured,” said PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin.
Kuno has now been rehabilitated and was given a prosthesis so he could run around and play.
The award given by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a British veterinary charity, is considered as the highest military honor offered to animals, which is known to be equivalent to a Medal of Honor.
Kuno will receive his medal in a virtual ceremony in November, according to the charity. He is now retired and has been rehomed.
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