Police Dog First On The Scene Of Manchester Terror Attack To Be Honoured

The police dog first on the scene of the Manchester terror attack is to be honoured with a very special reward.

PD Mojo, will receive the PDSA Order of Merit later this month for his devotion to duty under the most horrendous circumstances on 22nd May 2017.

Twenty-two innocent people were killed, and 139 were wounded during the attack at Manchester Arena.

The incident was the deadliest terrorist attack and the first suicide bombing in Britain since the July 2005 London bombings.

Inspector Paul Miles from British Transport Police nominated Mojo for the award after he retired from his duties in August this year.

Mojo's former handler and now his owner, PC Phil Healy, was joined by PDSA Director of Fundraising, Nigel Spencer, to announce his award.

Nigel said: "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.

"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."

On the day of the attack Mojo and his handler PC Phil Healy were at home after finishing an early shift with the British Transport Police.

When the news came through of an explosion at the arena, Phil and Mojo immediately made their way back to work.

PC Healy explained: "On our way over to the Arena, I heard over the police radio that the explosion had been caused by a detonated device and that many people were injured.

"We also heard that fatalities were already being confirmed.

"We were the first dog team on the scene and it was very chaotic.

"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."

PC Healy and Mojo were joined by other dog teams and worked together until 7am the following morning.

However, on their way home, Mojo and PC Healy were called out again to follow up on reports of a suspicious item elsewhere.

Speaking about Mojo's award, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: "PD Mojo worked tirelessly through unimaginable scenes of destruction and utter chaos.

"His role on the night was to make others safe - members of the public along with the responding emergency services, who each had their vital part to play.

"His dedication to duty, despite clearly being distressed by what he saw, makes him a deserving recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit."