The medal was presented to Charlie’s colleague - Hampshire search and rescue dog Zak - at Highcliffe Castle in Dorset.

Border collie Charlie receives PDSA Order of Merit

A Dorset search and rescue dog, who amassed thousands of search hours during his 10-year career, has been presented with the PDSA Order of Merit, also known as the ‘animal’s OBE’.

Border collie Charlie, together with his volunteer handler Matt Cooke, posthumously received the honour for outstanding devotion to duty and service to society.

Charlied retired in 2015, enjoying a full and happy retirement until he passed away in December 2017. Among his most notable work includes locating a murder victim buried in a large field, which led to a conviction. 

Charlie also located an elderly lady who had been missing for 14 hours in freezing temperatures. Police and ambulance crews reported that had Charlie not found her when he did, she wouldn't have survived.

The medal was presented to Charlie’s colleague - Hampshire search and rescue dog Zak - at Highcliffe Castle, Dorset, on Tuesday (15 October). Charlie is the 32nd recipient of the award since its institution in 2014.

PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “We are pleased to announce Charlie as the latest recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit. Although we’re saddened that he was unable to receive his honour during his lifetime, we hope that Matt and his colleagues at Dorset Search Dogs see it as a fitting tribute to his incredible career.
 
“Our Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society. Charlie’s long and dedicated career epitomises the reason we must continue our Founder’s tradition of honouring the contribution animals make to our lives.
 
“The PDSA Order of Merit was introduced to recognise animals for their exceptional devotion to duty and service to society. Charlie was a truly exceptional animal and an incredibly worthy recipient of this medal.”

Image (C) PDSA.