Afghan hound who escaped Taliban in line for national award

11:43am Sunday 24th February 2013 in News By Siobhan Ryan

HERO: Sally Baldwin with her dog Brin at her home in Hailsham. Brin was rescued from Afghanistan and brought back to the UK HERO: Sally Baldwin with her dog Brin at her home in Hailsham. Brin was rescued from Afghanistan and brought back to the UK

A canine hero who escaped the clutches of the Taliban is in line for a national award.

Brin was a stray on the streets of Afghanistan when he was adopted by British soldiers.

He saved the lives of two soldiers near Helmand in 2010 when he barked to alert them to a hidden bomb that would have killed them.

He was not given any training but was able to sniff out bombs by recognising the smell of TNT.

The mongrel, who now lives with Sally Baldwin in Hailsham, is one of five dog heroes to compete in the public vote for the prestigious Friends for Life final at Crufts 2013.

The Kennel Club’s competition, which has been running since 2006, celebrates heart-warming stories of friendship in adversity, where dogs have truly earned the title of man’s best friend through bravery, support or companionship.

Brin would go on patrols with the soldiers but this changed when Taliban forces captured him.

He was found later that year during a mission mounted by Afghan Special Forces against the Taliban.

His plight was still not over and he faced being left behind and killed when the unit flew home.

However, a campaign that went worldwide was mounted to save him and he was bought back to the UK by the Nowzad dogs charity.

Brin now tours the country with Ms Baldwin, raising money for the charity’s shelter in Afghanistan.

Ms Baldwin said: “Brin has been through so much but this never stopped him being loyal, loving and brave.

“Despite being left starving and abandoned he found new humans to love and saved the soldiers’ lives.

“Having survived being captured by the Taliban he came back to the UK and made the most loving pet. He is one in a million.”

The dog that the public votes as having the most truly deserving tale will be presented with the trophy on the final night of Crufts on March 10.

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