1947 ended on a positive note when a retriever dog called Laddie was awarded a People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals silver medal on 31st December for the rescue of 2 young boys.
The PDSA medal was instituted in 1943 to acknowledge acts of bravery by animals during wartime. It became known as the animals’ Victoria Cross.
Laddie – who belonged to a Mr Player of Fishbourne – spotted 2 young boys adrift off the Island in a dinghy. As the children were being swept further out to sea, the dog jumped into the water and swam 50 yards to reach the boat.
On reaching the boat, 1 of the boys grabbed him by the collar, and Laddie turned and swam towards the shore, taking the dinghy with him.
The 2 boys’ lives were saved – all thanks to Laddie!
