Treo (dog)

Treo (c. 2001–2015) was a black Labrador Retriever-English Springer Spaniel crossbreed[1][2] and a retired Arms and Explosives Search dog with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. He was awarded the Dickin Medal[3] (considered the equivalent of a Victoria Cross for animals) in February 2010.[4] The military nominated Treo for the award in recognition of his help uncovering a number of improvised explosive devices (IED) during his time serving in Helmand Province, an insurgency hot spot, in 2008. Treo was the medal's 63rd recipient.[5]

Treo
SpeciesDog
BreedLabrador Retriever-English Springer Spaniel cross
SexMale
Bornc. 2001
Died2015
Notable roleDetection dog
Years active2002–2009
OwnerDave Heyhoe
AppearanceBlack coat
AwardsDickin Medal

Early life

Treo was donated to the Army because of his general behaviour issues and inclination to snapping and growling at people. His former owners' hopes were that the Army would straighten him out. He began a 12-week training course at the Defence Animal Centre after which he was deployed to Northern Ireland for three years with his first handler. When his first handler left the Army, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe took over control of Treo.

Service in Afghanistan

In 2008 Treo and his handler Sergeant Heyhoe were deployed to Afghanistan, becoming one of 25 dogs supporting British troops there.[6] On 1 August 2008 Treo found an IED, called a daisy chain because of the way multiple explosive devices are wired together, concealed by Taliban insurgents along the side of a road. In September 2008 he found a second daisy chain, both times saving the lives of British soldiers as well as civilians. His success at detecting IEDs did not go unnoticed by the insurgents, and intercepted radio traffic included conversations about "the black dog."[7] He retired in August 2009 and was awarded the Dickin Medal in February 2010 at the Imperial War Museum in London.[4]

The Dickin Medal is often referred to as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.[8]

Later life

After seven years in the military, Treo retired to live at home with Heyhoe. His death was announced in October 2015 and was buried with his Dickin Medal and a Union Jack by Heyhoe.

See also

References
  1. Heyhoe, Dave; Lewis, Damien (2012). It's All About Treo: Life and War with the World's Bravest Dog. London: Quercus. ISBN 978-1-780-87396-1.
  2. Hennessy, Kathryn, ed. (2013). The Dog Encyclopedia: The Definitive Visual guide. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 295. ISBN 978-1-409-36421-4.
  3. "Dickin Medal dogs". People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  4. "Treo the dog awarded animal VC". The Daily Telegraph. London. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  5. Satter, Raphael G. (24 February 2010). "Treo, British Labrador, Wins Dickin Medal For Bomb-Sniffing". The Huffington Post. New York. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  6. "Sniffer dog Treo is honoured with PDSA Dickin Medal". BBC News. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  7. Lee, Adrian (21 September 2013). "The doomed dogs of war: What happens to military dogs when they are no longer needed?". Daily Express. London. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  8. Long, David (2012). The Animals' VC: For Gallantry and Devotion. London: Preface. ISBN 978-1-848-09376-8.
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