Lucca, the ex-military dog that served the US Marine Corps for six years, lost one of it’s legs while sniffing for a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. The 12-year-old German Shepherd was awarded with the top medal after she completed over 400 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout her service.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals or PDSA—UK’s leading veterinary charity—honoured Lucca with the Dickin Medal during a ceremony at London’s Wellington Barracks. Dickin Medal is the highest award given to animals serving in military and Lucca will be the 66th recipient of the prestigious award.
In March, 2012, Lucca was on patrol in Afghanistan’s Helmand province when she discovered a home-made bomb. She lost her leg and suffered chest burns after the explosive suddenly went off. Thanks to her efforts there were no human casualties that day.
Cpl Rodriguez, Lucca’s handler at the time, said, “The explosion was huge and I immediately feared the worst for Lucca. I ran to her and saw her struggling to get up. I picked her up and ran to the shelter of a nearby tree line, applied a tourniquet to her injured leg and called the medics to collect us.
I stayed with her constantly throughout her operation and her recovery. She had saved my life on so many occasions—I had to make sure that I was there for her when she needed me.”
Lucca was evacuated to Germany and then to California’s Camp Pendleton, where she recovered and was up and walking within 10 days.
