America's bravest dogs: The mutts that captured a murderer, found Afghan bombs and escaped being turned into FOOD
- Courageous pups are competing to be America's top dog in Hero Dog Awards
- The 21 finalists have amazing stories of survival, bravery, or companionship
- Police and military dogs, and therapy, guide and rescue pooches are included
- Some served in warzones, captured criminals, or rescued hurricane victims
From war veterans to protecting the Pope to surviving the meat trade - meet the courageous canine contenders for America's top dog.
The final 21 heroic hounds chosen by the American Humane Society helped their owners survive, served in warzones or overcame their own horrific experiences.
A narcotics dog assisted in 2,200 finds and seizures, another helped in mass Mexican drug arrests, and one put its life on the line to capture a murder suspect.
Chi Chi, from Phoenix, lost all her legs and now inspires others as a therapy dog
Jeanie, from Lake Charles, Los Angeles, comforts children who are questioned by forensic investigators in physical and sexual abuse cases, violent crimes and homicides
Search and rescue dogs found missing people when traditional searchers couldn't - from a teen to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, and even drowning victims.
Others are military dogs searching for IEDs under live fire, one who worked security for Pope Francis, and another that discovered a 60-pound bomb.
A survivor of the South Korea dog meat trade is raising awareness online, a cleft palate pup that founded a charity to take in death-row dogs, and one redefining perceptions of disability after being born blind and with inverted legs.
Guide dogs helped a woman embrace motherhood, helped the second ever blind man to complete a 100-mile run, and helps his autistic owner 'expand her boundaries'.
Noah, from Mineral Point, Wisconsin, was born without eyes and inverted back legs, he travels to schools to teach about disability, redefine perceptions, tolerance, acceptance
Sampson, from Foosland, Illinois, is the first service dog to gain access to a university biology and research laboratory with his influence measured in labs in addition to helping people with brain injuries, psychological disorders, and PTSD
Three service dogs include the first to be allowed to work in a lab, one that helped his owner discard his walker, and one helping veterans with post-traumatic stress
Dogs were chosen in seven categories: Law Enforcement/Arson Dogs, Military Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, Emerging Hero Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and Guide/Hearing Dogs.
They were whittled down from 266 entries after more than half a million votes - earning each of the dogs a place in their respective field.
'For thousands of years, mankind has had a special relationship with dogs, and the American Humane Hero Dog Awards are our way of honoring the best of our best friends,' American Humane president Robin Ganzert said.
Piglet, from Lancaster, California and her companion committed hundreds of hours to training and testing, as well as regularly being called on to search for the missing. She has also located a drowning victim after searchers struggled for seven days
Josh, from Sun Valley, California, was born with a cleft palate and rescued from a shelter that was preparing to euthanize him. His owner was inspired to set up a foundation to rescue pets on death row, that are disabled, terminal, or in critical need of care
'This unique awards show celebrates the unbreakable human-animal bond, which has been a core part of our organization's mission since 1877.'
The eighth annual Hero Dog Awards will see seven finalists flown to Los Angeles for a red-carpet event in September.
The winners of each individual grouping with be announced alongside the overall competition winner who will win $7,500 for their affiliated charity.
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