New Zealand police dog given posthumous award

A police dog from New Zealand who was killed whilst protecting his handler has been awarded the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Gold Medal.

On July 13, 2010, Senior Constable Bruce Lamb and his five-year-old German shepherd, Gage, went to carry out what they thought would be a routine drugs search at a house in Christchurch, Dorset.

Unfortunately Constable Lamb was shot in the face by one of the suspects. When they aimed to shoot again, Gage leapt into the path of the bullet.


Both Constable Lamb and Gage managed to exit the house whilst the suspect continued to shoot at other officers but once they were outside, it was clear something was very wrong with Gage.


“I looked down to find Gage lying motionless in the middle of the street,” recalled Constable Lamb. “At that moment I realised that the bullet fired, intended for me, had in fact hit and killed my faithful companion.”


Due to the severity of his injuries, Constable Lamb had to leave Gage whilst he was rushed to hospital. A second police officer, Constable Mitch Alatalo, was also shot and injured.


“The PDSA Gold Medal is only awarded for the most extreme acts of courage and dedication," explained Jan McLoughlin, the PDSA’s director general.

"Gage’s actions and sacrifice that day undoubtedly saved the life of Senior Constable Lamb. He is an exceptionally worthy recipient.”


Gage’s name joins a list of 22 other animal heroes who have previously been awarded the PDSA Gold Medal. The award, widely recognised as the animals’ George Cross, is only awarded to those that are instrumental in saving human or animal life when its own life is in jeopardy or through outstanding devotion to duty.

Image courtesy of PDSA