Fed: Blue Heeler honoured for bravery

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2000
Fed: Blue Heeler honoured for bravery

By Jordan Baker

CANBERRA, April 11 AAP - Watch out Lassie. Whiskey, the ferocious blue heeler, is after
your wonderdog crown.

And even though he's old, fat, and increasingly stiff, there are many - including the
Australian Federal Police - who think he deserves it.

Two weeks ago, an armed robber cornered Whiskey's owner Colin Parker at his Canberra
service station. Mr Parker resisted, and the two struggled before a gun was fired.

The shot was like a red rag to a bull. Creaky old Whiskey, aged 15, went into a frenzy,
seizing the robber by the ankle and holding on for at least a minute before the intruder
fled in terror.

The Australian Federal Police today recognised Whiskey's heroism with a bravery medal,
presented by ACT Assistant Police Commissioner Bill Stoll at the scene of the crime.

But the 30kg dog probably preferred his second reward: a year's supply of dogfood.

It's the first time a dog has been awarded an ACT bravery award in living memory, but
Whiskey seemed nonplussed by the medal around his large neck and his 15 minutes of fame.

The fierce mutt suffered silently through the ceremony on a short leash, and was then
quickly corralled into a ute.

But his owner was more affected.

Mr Parker, still suffering a sprain from his struggle, credits his dog of 15 years
with saving his life.

"I'm very proud," he said.

"He's very savage. There's somebody out there with a very sore leg."

Mr Parker has owned the service station since 1987.

This was the second time in five years he has been held up. The first time, unfortunately,
Whiskey was locked up in his truck.

Commissioner Stoll congratulated both Mr Parker and Whiskey on their bravery.

"I wish we had more like Whiskey," Mr Stoll said.

"If it hadn't been for the activities of the dog in attacking and savaging the offender,
Col Parker could have been seriously hurt."

Police are still searching for the culprit.

AAP jb/mfh/bdm/bwl

KEYWORD: HEELER (WITH PIX)

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