Police dog ‘Mojo’ and BTP Officer Phil Healy had finished their shift on 22nd May when they heard about an explosion at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.
As soon as PC Healy heard about the incident, he made his way, with Mojo, to the Manchester Victoria train station concourse to search it as the area was being used by the emergency services as the main treatment area for the victims who were caught up in the blast.
After carrying out a search of the area, they made they way to the venue where the concert took place in order to check if they could find any other devices which may have been hidden at the venue.
PC Healy told LeighJournal.co.uk:
“Mojo was working well but he was somehow different. It was as though he didn’t want to be there, among the carnage that surrounded him.
“But despite this he worked on, clearing the area so that the firearms unit could move out of the area safely.”
The duo worked through until 0700 hours the morning after the blast but also attended other calls during the day after members of the public reported seeing more suspect packages.
The PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) charity has awarded ‘Mojo’ with the PDSA Order of Merit.
According to the PDSA’s website, the Order of Merit: ‘is known as the animals’ OBE.
‘It recognises animals that display outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society, above and beyond normal companionship – and represents an exceptional example of the special relationship between animals and humans.’
After the award, Inspector Paul Miles from the British Transport Police said:
“I am so proud to see Mojo recognised in this way. He acted in the finest traditions of policing, under circumstances that you can never fully train for.
“PC Healy and Mojo have made a stellar team in their time together and, as Mojo adapts to a life of retirement, it’s a wonderful moment to pause and reflect on his service and actions.”
Nigel Spencer, Director of Fundraising for the PDSA said that:
‘Mojo’s actions on that fateful night enabled the emergency services to carry out their vital work, by helping to search and clear the area of potential secondary devices.
“Mojo worked tirelessly under conditions he’d never experienced before.
“For that devotion to duty and service to society, PDSA is honoured to recognise him.
The Manchester Arena bombing was a suicide bombing attack in Manchester, United Kingdom on 22 May 2017.
An Islamic terrorist detonated a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb as people were leaving the Manchester Arena following a concert by the American singer Ariana Grande.
The incident was treated as an act of terrorism and 22 innocent victims tragically lost their lives in the senseless and truly evil attack.
Police Dog Mojo retired from active service in August of this year.
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