Canine hero wins Blue Cross Medal

Actress Felicity Kendal has presented The Blue Cross Medal for animal heroism to Jake, a Metropolitan police explosives dog who cleared the scene at the Tavistock Square bus bombing.

Watch video footage of the presentation

Four other short listed candidates received commendable mentions at the ceremony on Tuesday 9 January, including a City of London police horse who also works with Riding for the Disabled, a cat who saved her owner from an attack in her home; a dog who works at Great Ormond Street and a dog who works as a canine partner for his wheelchair bound owner.

Jake's heroism was demonstrated during the London tube and bus bombings in July 2005, when the dog and his handler - PC Bob Crawford - cleared the route for paramedics to reach the injured on the bus and then walked the tube tunnel at Kings Cross, allowing tens of people to access medical treatment. Jake's actions that day saved the lives of many people and so the panel of judges awarded him The Blue Cross Medal.

Jake's owner, PC Bob Crawford said: "We are delighted that Jake has won the Medal. Jake is a hardworking dog who performed brilliantly on the day of the bombings. Animals help all our lives, and it's great that The Blue Cross is honouring their contribution. Jake will wear his Medal with pride."

Actress and award presenter Felicity Kendal said: "The Blue Cross provides an amazing service for animals in London. Jake was a very brave dog and is a deserving winner of the Medal. The other nominees were outstanding as well, and have made incredible impacts on the lives of those they help."

The Blue Cross reinstated this medal for one year only to mark the centenary of The Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria - the oldest running charitable veterinary hospital in the country. The charity asked for owners or handlers to nominate animals that had come to the aid of another animal or human life, and shown bravery, companionship, or loyalty.

Over the past 100 years, the animal hospital and its staff have developed to meet the capital's changing animal welfare needs and was originally opened to treat the working horses that were a common sight on London's streets at the turn of the last century. Today, the hospital cares for the pets of a diverse mix of owners who cannot afford private veterinary fees and provides a number of outreach services including a mobile clinic and community nurses scheme.

January 2007