Taranaki terrier to get UK's highest honour

Britain's highest award for animal bravery is to be made posthumously to George, Manaia's heroic Jack Russell terrier.

He died protecting five children from pit bull dogs in April 2007.

The PDSA Gold Medal will be presented to the late George's owner Alan Gay by the British High Commission at the Manaia town hall next month. High Commissioner George Ferguson will be involved and the event may be filmed by a BBC television crew.

The award is the animal equivalent of the George Medal, which is the United Kingdom's highest civilian bravery award. George of Manaia was nominated by un-named Taranaki people.

The PDSA Gold Medal was instituted in 2001 and has been awarded 15 times, all to dogs. The medal is for "any animal that is instrumental in saving human or animal life when its own life is in jeopardy or through outstanding devotion to duty."

The PDSA takes its title from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor, founded in 1917 by animal welfare pioneer Maria Dickin. It has grown into Britain's leading veterinary charity, last year delivering pet care services worth 48 million ($128 million).

PDSA director general, Jan McLoughlin said the charity's council was deeply touched by the accounts of George's bravery.

"There's no doubt that George was a small dog with a lion's share of courage," she said in the announcement released yesterday.

"Each account of his devotion to the five children that day tells of a canine companion that was not afraid to face great fear in order to protect his friends. The children will never forget George's sacrifice and PDSA is proud to honour this exceptionally brave dog."

Mr Gay heard about the medal in a phone call from the PDSA in Shropshire.

"I feel good about receiving it, but I hope it's the last one because George is dead and all this has gone on long enough," he said.

In the months following George's heroism, the New Zealand SPCA gave its bravery medal, a US Vietnam vet gave his Purple Heart and a bronze statue of the brave dog was built from a public fund.

Tearful phone calls, poems, emotional letters and bank cheques arrived at George's house. A Swedish pop group recorded a song in tribute.

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Mark   #10   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This has cut me up more than anything I have read this year. George is truly a deserving recipient of this high honour. I guess his owner would rather have him back than the medal though. I am the owner of a Jack Russell and they certainly are scrappy wee things.

Sarah Hammond   #9   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Gorgeous George, you were definitely an angel in diguise and the world needs more brave and kind heroes, canine and humans. R.I.P.

Stuart Graham   #8   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

It is a great thrill to see george win the PDSA Gold Medal ( Animals George Cross )and even more so as it was myself who was responsible for the nomination, after 18 months of Paperwork.It might be nice to put a correction in your paper that the nomination was not from Taranaki but from Auckland and as I mentioned to your editor 18 months ago, you would have " first dibs" on the story. Stuart Graham.

Jenni   #7   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

George will always be a hero! I too tear up everytime I hear about George's bravery. My thoughts go out to George's owner as well, as it must be tough to lose a family pet in this way. RIP George!

Mazza   #6   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Go George!, your a brave mate giving up your life to save others and good to see some people reconize this good deed.

Hamish   #5   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Good on ya, George good to see theres some great dog owners out there whome treat their pets as a member of the family, The reason that dog jumped in to save the kids was most likely because the dog had a good life and was treated well!

Must have been a tragic loss for the family though

sam   #4   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

awwww! Go George! Every time I saw the articles about him when he died I would just about start tearing up. Cute wee thing. I have a Jack Russell and they are scrappy we things.

brew   #3   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Still brings a tear to the eye does the late George.

hayley   #2   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What a wondering thing for such a brave little dog. The story still brings tears to my eys. RIP George

rosina   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

aww And some say dogs have no emotion! this dog died saving those kids! he most cirtanly felt something about those kids! at the very least a sence of fairness! thats an act of heroism as if It were his? own pups! there is still hope in the world...even if it was a dog!

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