PDSA Gold Medal
The PDSA Gold Medal, is the non-military counterpart to the PDSA Dickin Medal and is known as the animals’ George Cross. Instituted in 2002, it rewards civilian acts of animal bravery and exceptional devotion to duty.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Animals sometimes display heroic capabilities in extraordinary situations. The PDSA Gold Medal recognises this.
Quite simply, the PDSA Gold Medal is the highest animal honour for life-saving devotion to duty in civilian life.
To date the PDSA Gold Medal has been presented to 31 recipients.
Roll of Honour
Dogs
PD Kaiser
Date of award: 5 September 2023
'For life-saving devotion to duty, with the Metropolitan Police Service'
PD Bacca
Date of award: 26 July 2019
'For life-saving devotion to duty'
PD Finn
Date of award: 6 May 2018
"For life-saving devotion to duty, despite being grievously injured while preventing a violent criminal from evading arrest."
Teddy
Cockapoo
Date of award: 6 April 2018
"For life-saving devotion to her family, alerting them when their young son climbed into the tumble dryer and became trapped as the cycle triggered. Teddy's actions prevented the young boy from suffering life-threatening injuries."
Diesel
Staffordshire Bull terrier
Date of award: 14 June 2017
"For life-saving devotion to his family when alerting them to a serious house fire on 28 May 2016."
Police Dog Ozzy
Police Scotland
Date of Award – 24 February 2017
“For displaying outstanding gallantry in the line of police duty and in the face of violent opposition.”
K9 Killer
Environmental Crimes Investigation, Kruger National Park
Date of award – 7 January 2016
“For lifesaving bravery and devotion to his handler and other rangers engaged in the fight against rhinoceros poaching.”
Gage
German Shepherd
Date of award – 22 August 2013
“For displaying outstanding gallantry and paying the ultimate sacrifice in the line of police duty.”
Read more about Gage
Ajax
German Shepherd
Date of award – 11 June 2013
“For his bravery in saving lives, his courage and devotion to duty in circumstances of extreme danger.”
Ellie and Jones
German Shepherd crosses
Date of award – October 2012
“For saving the life of their owner through exceptional devotion to duty.”
Read more about Ellie and Jones
Dexter
Date of award – April 2011
Gloucester Police Force
“For displaying outstanding gallantry, despite serious injuries, while carrying out official duties in the face of violent opposition. “
Anya
German Shepherd
Wiltshire Police Force
Date of award – 06 July 2010
“For devotion to duty and lifesaving bravery in the face of danger, when faced with a knife-wielding assailant, on 3 January 2008.”
Read more about Police Dog Anya
Frodo
Beagle
Date of award – 06 July 2010
“For lifesaving bravery and determined devotion to his owner and family, when alerting them to a house fire on 13 June 2008.”
Oi
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Date of posthumous award – 06 July 2010
“For lifesaving bravery and courageous devotion to her family in the face of armed assailants on the 18 June 2008.”
Bosnich
Date of award – 28 July 2009
“For saving the life of 73-year-old Mark Corrie, by keeping him warm and alerting a search and rescue team to Mark's plight, who had gone missing for two days after taking Bos for a walk on Cumrew Fell on 12 August 2006.”
George
Date of posthumous award – 11 February 2009
“For bravery and devotion when protecting the lives of five children in his home town of Manaia, North Island, New Zealand, when they were threatened by two Pit Bull Terriers.”
Ghillie
Date of award – 19 December 2007
“For gallantry and lifesaving devotion on 19 December 2005 while out walking near him home in Kirkwall on Orkney.’
Vinnie
British Transport Police
Date of award – 3 July 2007
Police Dog Vinnie received the PDSA Gold Medal on behalf of all the British Transport Police dogs that served in the aftermath of the terror attacks in London, on 7 July 2005.
“For gallantry in the service of humanity, immediately following the terrorist attacks on London on 7 July 2005.”
Billy
City of London Police
Date of award – 3 July 2007
Police Dog Billy received the PDSA Gold Medal on behalf of all the City of London Police dogs that served in the aftermath of the terror attacks in London, on 7 July 2005.
“For gallantry in the service of humanity, immediately following the terrorist attacks on London on 7 July 2005.”
Read more about Billy
Hubble Keck (Jake)
Metropolitan Police
Date of award – 3 July 2007
Police Dog Hubble Keck (Jake) received the PDSA Gold Medal on behalf of all the Metropolitan Police dogs that served in the aftermath of the terror attacks in London, on 7 July 2005.
“For gallantry in the service of humanity, immediately following the terrorist attacks on London on 7 July 2005.”
Bamse
WWII ship’s mascot
Date of posthumous award – 22 July 2006
“For saving the life of two members of the crew of Royal Norwegian Navy minesweeper, The Thorodd, and for his unstinting devotion to duty as ship’s mascot during WWII.”
Dylan & Cracker
NI Search and Rescue Dog Association
Date of award – 27 June 2006
“For displaying outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty, while carrying out official duties with the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Dog Association.”
Read more about Dylan & Cracker
Zoltan
Cleveland Police
Date of award – 5 April 2006
“For displaying outstanding gallantry, despite serious injuries, while carrying out official duties in the face of violent opposition.”
Blue
West Yorkshire Police
Date of award – 5 April 2006
“"For displaying outstanding gallantry, despite serious injuries, while carrying out official duties in the face of violent opposition."”
Orca
Canine Partner
Date of award – 5 April 2006
“For saving the life of his owner, Cheryl Alexander, through exceptional devotion to duty.”
Endal
Canine Partner
Date of award – 13 November 2002
“For saving the life of his owner, Allen Parton, through exceptional devotion to duty.”
Metpol Delta Monty
Metropolitan Police
Date of award – 12 November 2002
“For displaying outstanding gallantry, despite serious injuries, while carrying out official duties in the face of violent opposition.”
Read more about Metpol Delta Monty
Bulla
Leicestershire Police
Date of posthumous award – 12 November 2002
“For displaying outstanding gallantry in the line of police duty, and in the face of violent opposition.”
Rats
HeroRAT Magawa
APOPO
Date of award: 25 September 2020
“For life-saving devotion to duty, in the location and clearance of deadly landmines in Cambodia.”
Thank you for your interest in the PDSA Animal Awards Programme.
Unfortunately, the Animal Awards Programme is currently closed for nominations.
Please do keep checking back for future updates.