Community Corner
Military Dog Sniffs Bomb Inches from Handler's Foot
Eddie, a military working dog stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, is up for a national "Hero Award" for saving the lives of 13 troops in Afghanistan, thanks to a Dunedin woman who made sure he was nominated.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shannon Hutto will always consider Eddie a hero, regardless of the outcome of a public poll for the next American Hero Dogs.
Eddie, a 6-year-old military working dog stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, is up for the prestigious recognition. He was nominated by Dunedin resident Carol White, who is advocating to get Eddie and all service dogs the recognition she feels they deserve.
Eddie is credited with sniffing out an explosive 6 inches from Hutto's foot while deployed in Afghanistan. A short time later, during the same sweep, Eddie located a second explosive near a bridge, saving the lives of at least 13 troops and villagers nearby.
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"He got some street cred that day," Hutto said.
He is one of 13 nominees in the military category for 2013's "American Hero Dog of the Year," an American Humane Association contest. Other categories include guide, service, search and rescue, hearing, therapy and law enforcement.
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Winners receive up to $5,000 for the charity of their choice. Eddie's charity is the United States War Dog Association.
Want to Vote?
- When: Online voting runs through noon on July 30. (Vote for Eddie here, or follow him on Facebook.)
- Where: A "vote party" set for Saturday, May 18, at Sea Dog Brew Pub, 26200 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater, at 3 p.m.
- Bring: Attendees also are encouraged to bring new tennis balls or Kong toys that can be donated to military working dogs. There will be discounts for military veterans at the event in appreciation for their service, White said.
Other Military Dog Nominees:
- Arka (Charlottesville, VA)
- Archie (San Antonio, TX)
- Siebert (Hanover, MI)
- Rico (Rock Hill, SC)
- Sheera (Selinsgrove, PA)
- Muddy (Selma, TX)
- Emir (Colorado Springs)
- Meta (Universal City, TX)
- Fama (Houston, TX)
- Lucca (Stafford, VA)
- Honza (Newport News, VA)
- Carlos (Colorado Springs)
Related Coverage:
- MacDill Dog Hero Gets Party from Dunedin Woman
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