Saluting canine heroes

Ozzy, Sweep and Sabby are three remarkable dogs that have been honoured with prestigious PDSA Animal Awards.

We awarded the PDSA Gold Medal to Police Dog Ozzy for outstanding animal bravery and exceptional dedication to duty in civilian life. We also presented PDSA Order of Merit medals to Police Dog Sweep and therapy dog Sabby (Sabakka). The PDSA Order of Merit is for any animal that merits recognition for outstanding acts of devotion. It also represents the special relationship that exists between animals and humans.

Ozzy’s award was for his intervention in an incident where a man, who had already assaulted two people, was threatening to blow up a block of flats by igniting the gas supply. As residents were evacuated, Ozzy and his handler PC Brian Tennant managed to disarm and arrest the aggressor.

Return of the PAW

How many people in the UK actually own dogs, cats and rabbits - and who's doing best at looking after them?

We have published our PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2017 which will reveal all about the UK's pet owning population. The Report will be focusing on the five animal welfare needs and how PDSA can better target those pet owners who are struggling to provide all five needs. You can read the full report at pdsa.org.uk/PAW

The awards were presented by our Director General Jan McLoughlin in Edinburgh in February and although Ozzy couldn’t be there, another Police Dog, Boris, stood in for him to accept the award on his behalf.

Sweep was trained in the detection of firearms and ammunition. He was first put to the test in January 2008 when he recovered 3,000 shotgun cartridges, 800 rounds of ammunition and two shotguns. Sweep went on to become a specialist in poison detection until he retired last year.

Meanwhile Sabby worked as a therapy dog helping adults with learning disabilities. Now retired, Sabby spent 10 years in the NHS and touched and healed many lives.

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The awards were presented by our Director General Jan McLoughlin in Edinburgh in February and although Ozzy couldn’t be there, another Police Dog, Boris, stood in for him to accept the award on his behalf.

The awards were presented by our Director General Jan McLoughlin in Edinburgh in February and although Ozzy couldn’t be there, another Police Dog, Boris, stood in for him to accept the award on his behalf.

Sweep was trained in the detection of firearms and ammunition. He was first put to the test in January 2008 when he recovered 3,000 shotgun cartridges, 800 rounds of ammunition and two shotguns. Sweep went on to become a specialist in poison detection until he retired last year.

Meanwhile Sabby worked as a therapy dog helping adults with learning disabilities. Now retired, Sabby spent 10 years in the NHS and touched and healed many lives.