Lucca the three-legged hero marine dog awarded PDSA Dickin Medal for animal bravery

Lucca, a retired US Marine Corps dog, was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal at a ceremony at Wellington Barracks in London on Tuesday (5 April). The award is considered the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross and his given out by the veterinary charity, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).

5日，美国一条退休军犬卢卡在伦敦的威灵顿军营被授予PDSA(英国人民兽医所)迪肯勋章。这一奖项等同于动物界的“英国维多利亚十字勋章”，由英国的动物慈善组织PDSA颁发。

The 12-year-old German Shepard completed over 400 separate missions during six years of service. In 2012, Lucca discovered a 30lb improvised explosive device while on patrol, when she started searching for other devices a second exploded. She lost her left leg and suffered severe chest burns but thanks to life saving first aid from her handler, Cpl Juan Rodriguez, she survived and recovered.

这条12岁的德国牧羊犬在六年期间完成了400多次不同的任务。在2012年的一次巡逻中，卢卡发现了一颗重30磅的简易爆炸装置，当她开始寻找第二枚时，装置爆炸了。她失去了左前腿，胸部受到严重烧伤，幸运的是，由于训练员下士朱安·罗德里格斯抢救及时，她活了下来，并很快恢复健康。

None of the soldiers were hurt in the explosion that took Lucca’s leg. Cpl Rodriguez said: "Through all of her treatment and despite the pain she was in, her temperament never changed. Her fighting spirit was plain to see and I was so proud of how quickly she recovered."

在那次夺走卢卡的左腿的爆炸中，并没有士兵受伤。下士朱安·罗德里格斯说：“历经治疗和痛苦，她的脾性没有任何改变，她还是那么具备拼搏精神，对于她能这么快恢复健康，我感到十分自豪。”

Lucca is the 67th animal to be awarded a PDSA Dickin Award and the first US Marine Corps dog. The award, started in 1943 by PDSA founder, Maria Dickin, has been previously awarded to 30 dogs, 32 WWII carrier pigeons, three horses and one cat, named Simon, who was the rat fighting ship’s cat on HMS Amethyst.

卢卡是第67个被授予PDSA 迪肯勋章的动物，以及美国第一海军陆战队获此殊荣的首只军犬。该奖项始于1943年，创始人是玛丽亚·迪肯，目前，已经有33只狗，32只二战信鸽，三匹马以及一只叫西门的猫（这只猫是紫石英号事件（HMS Amethyst）中的战鼠英雄）先后被授予该荣誉。

The medal was awarded to Lucca by PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, who said: "Lucca’s conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty makes her a hugely deserving recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal. Her ability and determination to seek out arms and explosives preserved human life amid some of the world’s fiercest military conflicts."

该勋章由PDSA总干事扬·麦克洛克林颁发给卢卡，他表示：“卢卡的英勇无畏和忠心赤胆让她完全有资格成为PDSA迪金勋章的获得者。在世界某些最激烈的军事冲突中，她搜寻武器和炸弹的能力和决心拯救了人的生命”。

Lucca attended the ceremony with her current owner, Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham. Willingham said: "Lucca is very intelligent, loyal and had an amazing drive for work as a search dog. She is the only reason I made it home to my family and I am fortunate to have served with her. In addition to her incredible detection capabilities, Lucca was instrumental in increasing morale for the troops we supported."

卢卡同她现在的看护者枪炮军士克里斯托弗·威林厄姆一起出席了本次颁奖仪式。威林厄姆说：“卢卡非常聪明，作为搜救犬，她十分忠诚，并且有着惊人的力量。她本身就是我要带她回家的理由，能和她一起工作是我的幸运。卢卡除了不可思议的侦测能力，她还能增长我们目前所在军队的士气。”

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来源:时代周刊英文版爱语吧作者:文凤