An Army sniffer dog has been posthumously awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Theo, a 22-month-old springer spaniel cross, will receive the PDSA Dickin Medal for life-saving bravery in conflict.

He suffered a fatal seizure just hours after his handler, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, was shot dead by the Taliban in March 2011.

The pair uncovered 14 bombs and hoards of weapons in five months on the front line - more than any other dog and handler in the conflict.

Military chiefs hailed them for saving the lives of countless British soldiers in Afghanistan.L/Cpl Tasker's family were last night 'delighted' to hear that Theo has received the posthumous gallantry award, which are handed out sparingly by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals

His mother Jane Duffy, 53, said her family were 'ecstatic.'

'We are so, so happy and really, really excited,' she said. 'Absolutely delighted.' 'It means so much because Liam put Theo forward for the medal when he was in Afghanistan, before he was killed, because he was so good.

She hopes to travel to London to receive the Dickin Medal with husband Jimmy, 48, son Ian, 30, and daughters Laura, 21, and Nicola, 15.

To read the complete article, see:A medal of courage for bomb dog Theo: Posthumous award for heroic animal who died hours after his master(www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2199544/A-medal-courage-bomb
-dog-Theo-Posthumous-award-heroic-animal-died-hours-master.html)