Bomb-sniffing dog honored with medal

LONDON (AP) - A 9-year-old black Labrador named Treo is being decorated for his work sniffing out explosives in Afghanistan.

He is being given Britain's Dicken medal, awarded for bravery and commitment in wartime. It's the highest military honor an animal can get.

It has been presented to 63 animals since its inception in 1943 — including 32 World War II carrier pigeons, three horses and a cat.

While patrolling with soldiers in 2008, Treo helped uncover Taliban explosives hidden by the side of a path.

Treo and his handler Sgt. Dave Heyhoe made the rounds of the morning talk shows Wednesday ahead of the award ceremony at London's Imperial War Museum.

Heyhoe described Treo as a four-legged metal detector and "a very good friend of mine."