Latest news with #heroDog
Sky News
08-07-2025
- Sky News
'Hero' sniffer dog Bruno killed by sausages stuffed with nails
A "hero" sniffer dog has been killed by sausages filled with nails - with Italy's prime minister calling it a "vile, cowardly" act. Bruno died from internal bleeding after the food was deliberately thrown into his kennel in the southern city of Tarananto, according to his trainer. Arcangelo Caressa said the bloodhound would have had a painful death - and warned the culprit: "I know who you are, and you will pay for it." Writing on Facebook, he said his Bruno would "always be my hero". "You fought for your whole life to help the human being, and the same human did this to you," Mr Caressa added. Bruno had tracked down nine people, including missing children and people with Alzheimer's, Italian media reported. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a picture of herself giving the dog an award, writing: "A heartbreaking piece of news. A vile, cowardly, unacceptable act. "Thank you for all you have done, Bruno." Mr Caressa is a senior figure in the training of anti-drug dogs, as well as fighting against activities like illegal dog fighting. He told Il Messaggero his beloved pet "wasn't the real target, it was me". He told the paper he had received death threats in recent weeks. "They want me to step aside. But I will never give in. This is a vile attack, done for money and revenge," he said. Bruno's death has provoked anger and widespread news coverage in Italy since he was found dead on Friday. Many are calling for the poisoner to be prosecuted under a new animal protection law that recently took effect in Italy. It carries a prison sentence of up to four years and a £51,000 fine in cases where an animal is killed after prolonged suffering or cruelty. Bruno was originally from Belgium and had worked with Mr Caressa for seven years. A bloodhound's sense of smell is estimated to be at least 1,000 times stronger than a human's, giving them the ability to sniff out a scent over 300 hours old.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
'Hero' sniffer dog Bruno killed by sausages stuffed with nails - as Italian PM Meloni calls it 'vile' act
An "hero" sniffer dog has been killed by sausages filled with nails - with Italy's prime minister calling it a "vile, cowardly" act. Bruno died from internal bleeding after the food was deliberately thrown into his kennel in the southern city of Tarananto, according to his trainer. Arcangelo Caressa said the bloodhound would have had a painful death - and warned the culprit: "I know who you are, and you will pay for it." Writing on Facebook, he said his Bruno would "always be my hero". "You fought for your whole life to help the human being, and the same human did this to you," Mr Caressa added. Bruno had tracked down nine people, including missing children and people with Alzheimer's, Italian media reported. Prime Minister posted a picture of herself giving the dog an award, writing: "A heartbreaking piece of news. A vile, cowardly, unacceptable act. "Thank you for all you have done, Bruno." Mr Caressa is a senior figure in the training of anti-drug dogs, as well as fighting against activities like illegal dog fighting. He told Il Messaggero his beloved pet "wasn't the real target, it was me". He told the paper he had received death threats in recent weeks. "They want me to step aside. But I will never give in. This is a vile attack, done for money and revenge," he said. Bruno's death has provoked anger and widespread news coverage in Italy since he was found dead on Friday. Many are calling for the poisoner to be prosecuted under a new animal protection law that recently took effect in . It carries a prison sentence of up to four years and a £51,000 fine in cases where an animal is killed after prolonged suffering or cruelty. Read more from Sky News: Bruno was originally from Belgium and had worked with Mr Caressa for seven years. A bloodhound's sense of smell is estimated to be at least 1,000 times stronger than a human's, giving them the ability to sniff out a scent over 300 hours old.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Sniffer dog once-honoured for finding nine missing people dies after eating nail-filled sausages that had been thrown in his kennel in 'vile, cowardly act'
A 'hero' sniffer dog who was credited for locating nine missing people in Italy has tragically died after eating nail-filled sausages. Seven-year-old bloodhound Bruno was found lying in a pool of his own blood yesterday morning at an animal training centre in Taranto, southern Italy, after the deadly treats were thrown into his kennel. Bruno, who was once honoured by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for his services, died in agony from internal bleeding, his trainer Arcangelo Caressa said. Meloni, who was pictured alongside Bruno in 2022, condemned those involved and called the killing a 'vile, cowardly, unacceptable act'. 'Thank you for everything you did, Bruno', she added. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the dog's horrific killing, while cops are reviewing surveillance footage from the training facility to identify those responsible. Bruno had worked on missing persons cases in the southern Apulia region and helped find nine people who had disappeared. He had also taken part in operations aimed at dismantling groups that organised clandestine dog fights. It is believed he was killed in an act of revenge. Trainer Mr Caressa paid an emotional tribute to Bruno, writing on Facebook: 'This morning I died alongside you. 'You fought your whole life to save humans and now it was a human who did this to you.' He added that many of the missing persons he had located were Alzheimer's who had wandered off on their own and gotten lost. 'Some families wrote to me this morning to thank me again. Their loved ones are alive thanks to Bruno. And now he is no longer with us.'
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Here boy! Vilo the chihuahua emerges from burn-out flat two weeks after horrific fire killed man and left eight-year-old girl injured
A hero dog has been rescued a fortnight on from the remnants of a devastating blaze that killed a man and left an eight-year-old girl injured. The chihuahua, who has now been given the name Vilo, emerged from the burnt-out apartment in the Scottish town Perth. A charity, Missing Pets, is now looking after the dog - as police continue to investigate the tragedy that happened in the early hours of June 14. Neighbours in the street were forced to flee their homes as emergency services were called to deal with the inferno and its aftermath. The animal welfare group posted an update about Vilo on its Facebook page named Missing Pets In Perth And Kinross. The statement described how the 'devastating' fire had 'a huge impact on our community but has also shown in times of struggle how we can all pull together to help others'. The group also told of giving the dog the name Vilo, inspired by it being a Slovakian word suggesting 'to live' or 'to thrive and flourish'. The group told its 32,000 Facebook followers: 'A couple of days after the fire, we at Missing Pets were contacted to ask for our advice and help as a little miracle had happened. 'A little chihuahua puppy called Vilo had survived the fire and was still in the building. 'Vilo had been spotted by contractors working on the building but was too scared to come to anyone. Team members gave advice about popping food out and also provided two humane traps baited with food.' The group said: 'With us all working together, we were able to pinpoint a rough area where she was hiding and bedding down to keep safe. 'After 13 days, Vilo was safely caught and completely unharmed.' They also insisted they could not 'take all the credit for her safe capture', sharing thanks with local demolition firm Reigart Contracts whose staff added their help. Missing Pets said of the company based in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire: 'They did everything they possible could to safely help with her capture and were the ones who were able to catch her and bring her down safely. 'They had her wrapped up safely in one of her owners teeshirts so she had a comforting smell too. They told how a neighbour spotted the dog at the window 'looking remarkably well', while the group's live cameras of the scene showed Vilo entering a trap left out and eating food that was there - 'but not triggering the trap plate'. Missing Pets went on to describe how one of their volunteer drone pilots won permission to fly a thermal drone over the building to track Vilo's movements. Katie McCandless, from the charity, has now described the dog's rescue as 'a little bit of hope in some dark times'. She said: 'Perth and Kinross Council contacted us for some help and advice about what the best thing to do was. I've been running this charity for 14 years but this is the first type of case like this I've ever been involved in. 'We knew it was a delicate situation and had to be handled sensitively, a lot of residents have lost everything.' Following Vilo's rescue, she was taken to a vet for a check over and, remarkably, is suffering no ill effects. It emerged that Vilo had also managed to make herself a bed in a wardrobe, where she escaped the noise and disruption of the demolition work going on around her. Ms McCandless added: 'She does not have a single mark on her and her paw pads are completely fine. She smells a bit of smoke but had minimal smoke inhalation. She really is a miracle dog. Vilo belongs to the Ridaj family, who stayed in the top-floor of the tenement, including father Maros who said: 'We are very happy that the dog is safe and has been returned to us.' Councillor Eric Drysdale, deputy leader of Perth and Kinross Council and ward member for Perth City Centre, said: 'This really is a remarkable story. 'I would like to thank everyone who helped return Vilo to her family safely - the neighbouring family who reported seeing her, Missing Pets Perth and Kinross, council staff who supported the rescue and, of course, the team from Reigart Contracts who assisted while carrying out dangerous and urgent demolition work. 'We know there are people still grieving after the fire because of the loss of loved ones, the loss of their homes and the impact on businesses nearby. 'But this amazing rescues is emblematic of the kindness people have shown in the wake of the tragedy - and the extra mile people have been willing to go to help others affected by this awful situation.' 'After her being checked over by the vets, I don't think any of us could believe how unharmed she was. 'She didn't have a single mark on her, her paw pads were completely fine and she had minimal smoke inhalation.' A man was found dead at the scene following the June 14 fire, while the eight-year-old girl and another man, aged 27, were taken to hospital. Two firefighters also required medical attention, one of them after being struck by 'falling masonry' as a result of the fire. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, whose constituency as an MSP is Perthshire North, said afterwards he was 'terribly sorry' to hear that a man had died. He added: 'I express my sympathy to his family. Concerned also for the condition of those who are receiving hospital treatment.' Perth and Kinross-shire MP Pete Wishart described the incident as 'awful news', saying: 'We had hoped that everyone had got out safely.' He added: 'Thoughts are with family and friends. There is going to be ongoing disruption in the city centre and I ask everyone to be patient with the investigation and restrictions.' Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell said Police Scotland are conducting a joint investigation with the fire service. She said: 'Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. Investigations are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances of what has happened.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Judy the hero Boxer dog honoured for charging at gun-toting terrorists and saving her brother's life
The gallantry medal awarded to a hero dog who thwarted a terrorist attack on British officers and saved her brother's life has sold for £22,000. Judy, a Boxer Bitch, and her brother Punch sprang into action after detecting intruders at an army compound in Palestine in the aftermath of Second World War. They barked furiously to alert their masters then charged towards the assailants. The canines were met by a burst of sub-machine fire from the terrorists but did not take a backwards step. The two officers inside the compound heard the commotion and ran outside. They saw a pool of blood which led them to Punch who was seriously wounded with Judy draped over him. She had attempted to shield her brother from further bullets after he was shot in the throat, skull and groin. She somehow emerged unscathed from the firing frenzy other than a bullet graze to her back. The gallantry medal awarded to a hero dog who thwarted a terrorist attack on British officers and saved her brother's life has sold for £22,000. Judy, a Boxer Bitch, and her brother Punch sprung into action after detecting intruders at an army compound in Palestine in the aftermath of Second World War The Dickin Medal awarded to Judy for thwarting the attack on a British Army base in Palestine in 1946 Punch, miraculously, also survived, despite losing three quarters of a pint of blood. The terrorists would have been able to sneak in undetected to the house and murder the officers in cold blood without their dogs' intervention. Judy's devotion to her sibling and willingness to risk her life saved his. Both dogs were awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross, for their fearless actions protecting their masters on the night of August 5, 1946. Judy's medal was sold by a private collector who has owned it for 14 years. It went under the hammer at auctioneers Noonans, of Mayfair, London, where it outperformed the pre-sale estimate of £14,000 to £18,000. The dogs were the pets of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who was Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Jerusalem Military Court, and the Adjutant General Lt Col Niven. The officers shared a house in the Jerusalem suburb and, seemingly oblivous to the danger posed to them, had left the front door open. Judy was awarded for her heroics in Palestine. So far 38 dogs have been awarded the Dickin Medal Judy's Dickin Medal citation reads: 'For beating off a terrorist attack on British Officers at risk of her own life while serving with Army H.Q. Palestine, on August 5th 1946.' Returning to the UK and after undergoing quarantine, both dogs were presented with their Dickin Medals during the Royal Tournamentcat Olympia on June 14, 1947. The Dickin Medal was created in 1943 by Maria Dickin, the founder of British veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, to honour animal gallantry during the war. To date, 75 have been awarded by the PDSA, with 38 going to dogs, 32 to pigeons, four to horses and one to a cat. A Noonans spokesperson said: 'This Dickin Medal for gallantry was awarded to Judy, a boxer bitch, for thwarting a night-time terrorist attack on British officers in Palestine. 'Suddenly the dogs became aware of intruders within the compound. 'Racing into the darkness and barking furiously, they were met with a burst of sub-machine gun fire from one or possibly two terrorists within the barbed-wire protected perimeter. 'Apparently the intruders were stealthily creeping towards the house with the intent to kill the officers. The certificate accompanying the Dickin Medal that was awarded to Judy the Boxer 'The barking and gunfire alerted the officers, thwarted the attack and thus saved their lives. 'Judy protected and undoubtedly saved the life of her severely wounded brother Punch, at risk to her own life.' Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at Noonans, added: 'The sale of a Dickin Medal is always hugely emotive and this story is no different reflecting bravery and courage as well as emphasising the great British tradition of the almost human-like relationship that dogs have for us and others.' In December 2024, the Dickin Medal awarded to Antis the dog who flew in over 30 wartime combat missions was reunited with his master's family after a £60,000 sale. Antis the Alsatian loyally sat next to his owner Czech airman Robert Bozdech in the turret of a Wellington bomber for operations over Nazi-occupied Europe. He was twice wounded in action; once by shrapnel over Kiel and then when a shell exploded under his aircraft during a raid on Hannover. Antis was the only dog who flew in World War Two operations and his medal had left the Bozdech family when a private collector bought it in 1994. In October 2022, the Dickin Medal for an SAS dog who did over 20 parachute jumps behind enemy lines in World War Two sold for a record £140,000 at Noonans. Rob, a black and white collie-retriever from a Shropshire farm, was involved in the North African campaign and sabotage missions in Italy.
