Community Corner

MacDill Dog Hero Gets Party from Dunedin Woman

A Dunedin woman is campaigning for Eddie, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois stationed at MacDill Air Force Base who saved several troops while deployed in Afghanistan with his explosive-sniffing abilities.

Dunedin dog lover Carol White holds the work of military dogs in high regard.

"They're not just a piece of equipment; they're soldiers," she said. "A lot of people wouldn't be home if it wasn't for them."

While working at her new job on MacDill Air Force Base, White learned of a bomb-sniffing dog, who, while deployed in Afghanistan, detected an explosive 6 inches from the foot of his handler at the time, Staff Sgt. Shannon Hutto

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Hutto, now the head trainer at MacDill, told White that Eddie, the 6-year-old active duty Belgian Malinois, didn't stop there. His search that day also led to an explosive hidden in a bridge before 13 troops crossed over it.

"That day, everyone was able to go home without death or injuries because Eddie used his keen sense of smell to save their lives," Eddie's Facebook profile says.

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Hutto's account prompted White to campaign for Eddie, one of 13 military nominees for the 2013 "American Hero Dog of the Year" award. 

The American Humane Association contest awards $5,000 to the charity of choice for winners in several categories including guide, service, search and rescue, hearing, therapy and law enforcement.

Eddie's charity is the United States War Dog Association.

Online voting begins at noon, May 7, and ends noon, July 30. (Vote for Eddie here, or follow him on Facebook.)

White is also planning a "vote party" at Sea Dog Brew Pub, 26200 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater, at 3 p.m. May 18.

Attendees will get discounts for voting for Eddie on their cell phones or computers at the event, White said. They also are encouraged to bring new tennis balls or Kong toys that can be donated to military working dogs.

Eddie's Stats (from his Hero Dog Award profile)

  • Name and Title: Military Working Dog (MWD) Eddie P346
  • Birthday: Oct. 11, 2008
  • Enlisted: March 2, 2010 
  • Military Branch: United States Air Force, certified in patrol and explosive detection
  • Duty Station: MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa
  • Special Missions: Eddie has supported various civilian and military leadership personnel including the president and vice president of the United States.
  • Deployments: Kandahar Air Field, Forward Operating Base Masum Ghar and Combat Operating Post Sperwan Ghar in Afghanistan.
  • Hobbies: Eddie loves playing catch, watching television and eating treats. He is the happiest when he is chewing on his Kong toy.
  • Dislikes: Swimming and sharing his Kong toy with other dogs.

Eddie's Competition

  1. Arka (Charlottesville, VA)
  2. Archie (San Antonio, TX)
  3. Siebert (Hanover, MI)
  4. Rico (Rock Hill, SC)
  5. Sheera (Selinsgrove, PA)
  6. Muddy (Selma, TX)
  7. Emir (Colorado Springs)
  8. Meta (Universal City, TX)
  9. Fama (Houston, TX)
  10. Lucca (Stafford, VA)
  11. Honza (Newport News, VA)
  12. Carlos (Colorado Springs)

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