Dog dies after handler killed in ambush

Posted in News | By: Rishi Rich | 12 Mar 2011 5:08 am    

A BRITISH Army dog that held the record for finding the most home-made bombs and weapons in Afghanistan has died after his handler was killed.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, and Theo, a 22-month-old springer spaniel cross, came under small arms fire in the Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand Province yesterday.

Lance Corporal Tasker, who was from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, was shot dead and it is understood that Theo died from a seizure at Camp Bastion, The (London) Times reported.

According to the Daily Mail, Theo - an Arms Explosive Search dog, who acted as the "front man" of the patrol - suffered a broken heart due to his dedication to Lance Corporal Tasker.

Theo, who was donated to the army by a member of the public, had been on his first six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Theatre Military Working Dog Support Unit, based at Camp Bastion, but his tour was extended a month after he sniffed out 14 weapons and improvised explosive devices in his first five months.

Lance Corporal Tasker had initially joined the army in 2001 as a vehicle mechanic but his passion for dogs led to a transfer to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps six years later.

Speaking last month, Lance Corporal Tasker had said he did not know that the dog support unit existed until a friend showed him videos of the dogs at work. "I love my job and working together with Theo. He has great character and never tires. He can't wait to get out and do his job," he said.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Thorpe, Commanding Officer, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, said: "It's a challenge to put into words what Lance Corporal Tasker meant to those he worked with. To his friends he was a mate who could put a smile on your face. He was that man who you wanted around and who you wanted to spend time with. He genuinely loved the dogs he worked with."

Lance Corporal Tasker's death brings to 358 the number of British military personnel to have died in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

In a statement released through the UK's Ministry of Defence, his family said: "There are three words that best describe Liam: larger than life. He lit up every room he walked into with his cheeky smile. He was the best son, grandson, brother and friend you could ever wish to meet.

"He died a hero doing a job he was immensely passionate about. We are so proud of him and everything he's achieved. Words can't describe how sorely he will be missed."

His girlfriend, Leah Walters, said: "LT never met anyone without touching their lives in some way. The amount of support both I and his family have received in the last day alone pays testament to this. I am the proudest girlfriend there could ever be and there will be an LT-sized hole in my life forever."

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comments

hats off

By: Sidhu Kadiyala | 13 Mar 2011

There r relations n there r relations, they say dog is friend for life, truly even after life.

By: Rishi Rich | 14 Mar 2011

May God keep him forever

By: Ritesh | 18 Mar 2011

May they live happily 2gather 4ever in heaven

By: Rishi Rich | 18 Mar 2011

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