Police dog given bravery award for work after Manchester terror attack

PD Mojo (the ‘PD’ stands for Police Dog), who was part of British Transport Police until his retirement in August this year, worked through the night to search Manchester Arena and the adjoining Victoria train station for explosives.

Now, he’s been awarded one of the highest honours a service animal can get - the PDSA Order of Merit. Mojo's achievement will be celebrated at a ceremony later this month, which will recognise his devotion to duty and tireless work in the face of tragic circumstances.

He's the 20th animal to get the Order of Merit - previous recipients have included the police horses who helped officers during the London Riots in 2011, Bryn, a search and rescue dog who works with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as with the UK’s International Search and Rescue Team, and Sabby who "touched the lives of many vulnerable adults in her role as an occupational therapy dog".

On the night of 22 May 2017, Mojo and his handler, PC Phil Healy, had just got home from an early shift. But just a few hours later they heard there had been an explosion at Manchester Arena, where Ariana Grande was performing. Without hesitation, Phil and Mojo went back to work.

When they arrived, they started off by searching the concourse in Manchester Victoria station. At that point it was being used as the main casualty area for victims who were receiving treatment. Mojo searched around them for any explosives.

Once the station was cleared, they then went to the arena itself, where Mojo continued to search for secondary devices among the wreckage.

“Mojo was working well but he was somehow different,” Phil says. “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.”

Later, when other dog teams were able to join them, Mojo searched the entire stadium - and he didn't stop until seven the next morning.

Phil added: “There is no doubt that what Mojo experienced that night had a lasting effect on him, as it has all of us. His receiving the PDSA Order of Merit is a fitting way to recognise his actions. The ceremony will be emotional – I am extremely proud of him.”

Needless to say, we’re all grateful for Mojo’s hard work.