Canine hero receives medal for outstanding bravery

Описание: (11 Jun 2013)
1. Wide of police dog Ajax and minder Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabarces, stepping up to stage to receive award, AUDIO: Applause
2. Close up of sign showing Ajax as winner of the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) gold medal
3. Wide of gold medal being given to Sergeant Alabarces
4. Close up of Alabarces placing gold medal around Ajax's neck, AUDIO: Applause
5. Wide of Alabarces speaking to assembled media
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabarces, Spanish Civil Guard
"It is our job, it is what we train for everyday, but you never think that you are going to face a real-live situation. On that day he acted calmly and serenely - as he should."
7. Close up of Ajax
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabarces, Spanish Civil Guard:
"It is a risk that you know about when you decide to volunteer for this section. You assume the risk but in the moment when two colleagues have died, you don't think about it."
9. Mid of Ajax
10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Jan McLoughlin, Director General of the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals):
"Ajax showed incredible bravery and devotion to duty when detecting a bomb in a vehicle, which undoubtedly saved many, many lives and we are very honoured and privileged to be here in person to present the medal to Ajax."
11. Wide of Ajax (centre) and other police dogs on display outside theatre
12. Mid of Ajax (left) with another police dog in foreground
13. Wide of Ajax and other police dogs on display outside theatre
STORYLINE:
A police dog in Spain's Civil Guard was awarded a gold medal for bravery in Madrid on Tuesday.
Ajax, a black and gold German shepherd, was working as a sniffer dog in Mallorca when he discovered a bomb planted under a car by the armed Basque group ETA in the town of Palma Nova, in 30 July, 2009.
Only hours after two officers had been killed in an attack, Ajax sniffed out the explosives and sat calmly down.
This was the signal that there was a potential risk of further destruction. The bomb was later denoted, spreading shrapnel over a 100 metre (330 feet) radius.
Ajax was decorated with the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals' Gold Medal at a ceremony on Tuesday on the outskirts of Madrid.
"It is our job, it is what we train for everyday, but you never think that you are going to face a real-live situation. On that day he acted calmly and serenely - as he should," said Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabarces, Ajax's handler, after the award ceremony.
At 12-years-old (over 80 in dog years), Ajax has retired.
He is the 22nd dog to receive the award.


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