Heroic US Marine Corps service dog awarded top medal for war animals

(FOX NEWS) - A heroic U.S. Marine Corps German shepherd that lost a leg sniffing out a roadside bomb in Afghanistan was awarded the world's highest honor for service dogs during a special ceremony Tuesday.

After six years of active service with the US Marine Corps, search and rescue dog Lucca now enjoys a well-earned retirement with her handler and his family in California. Today we awarded Lucca the highest animal honour - the PDSA Dickin Medal: http://ow.ly/10iQK2Music by Chris Zabriskie

Lucca, who served U.S. troops during more than 400 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan over a six-year span, received the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dickin Medal at the Wellington Barracks in London. She is the first Marine Corps dog to receive the medal, considered the top honor for war animals around the world.

Her handler, Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Willingham, told Sky News that it was an "incredible honor" to receive the award from the veterinary charity.

"It is very humbling to be part of this entire process," he said. "I think more importantly is that Lucca's accomplishments are going to help bring awareness and recognition to all our military working dogs and their handlers."