Wagging his tail and ever-faithful, Kuno, the canine protagonist of this tale, became a hero. He risked his life for the troops, going above and beyond the call of duty. His bravery earned him the prestigious Dickin Medal, the highest honor a British military animal can receive. No one deserves it more.
“In the tale ‘Kuno’s Sacrifice,’ a youth named Kuno, known for his successful missions, faces his most crucial challenge during a raid on an al-Qaeda stronghold. When British forces are ambushed and surrounded by hostile gunmen, Kuno, witnessing his comrades in peril, makes a decisive choice to rescue them.”
Under a barrage of grenades and machine-gun fire from insurgents, Sherrain Reber was pinned down, unable to move. In a decisive move, Kuno leaped through the gunfire to thwart the attackers’ plans. Despite sustaining serious injuries from gunshot wounds to his hind legs, Kuno successfully completed the mission and was later treated at the US Army Veterinary Treatment Facility.
After injuring his paw, Kuno relied on both a brace and a prosthetic to get around: a brace on one side and a prosthetic on the other.
Kuno currently wears a brace on one side and a prosthetic on the other as a result of his injuries. In 2016, he made history as the first U.K. Military Working Dog to receive a prosthetic leg. Since retiring, a compassionate family has adopted him, providing him with a loving environment to enjoy life as a dog, with plenty of time to pursue whatever he desires.
He is the 72nd recipient of the Dickin Medal, established by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Among the other 71 awardees, 35 were dogs, 32 were World War II messenger pigeons, four were horses, and one was a cat.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated that Kuno deserved the Dickin Medal for his bravery. She added that the medal represents significant recognition of the achievements of their military canines, both domestically and internationally. These animals serve as a reminder of their primary mission: ensuring our safety.
Kuno’s dedication, sacrifice, and courage will never be forgotten. Now, he’s finally enjoying a relaxing retirement with his family.
