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

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

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

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

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

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

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.        

Finalist dogs' heroic stories

LAW ENFORCEMENT/ARSON DOGS

K-9 Flash, from Detroit, Michigan

Picked up on the streets, he works on the narcotics detection unit with over 2,200 finds and seizures and 3,000 deployments.

K-9 Odin, a German Shepherd, from Katy, Texas

Captured a murder suspect and ensured no other police officer was hurt during the arrest.

K-9 Kano, a Red Nose Pit Bull, from Seward, Kansas

He has assisted with three drug offenses including eight grams of meth, $7,500 of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

K-9 Kano, a Red Nose Pit Bull from Seward, Kansas, assisted with three drug offenses including eight grams of meth, $7,500 of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia

K-9 Kano, a Red Nose Pit Bull from Seward, Kansas, assisted with three drug offenses including eight grams of meth, $7,500 of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia

EMERGING HERO DOGS

Willow, from Las Vegas, Nevada

A survivor of the South Korean dog meat trade after his owners turned him to the slaughterhouse for being old. 

He suffered neglect, his ears cut, matted hair, a mouth of bad teeth and an infected tongue. His story has raised awareness of the trade.

Josh, from Sun Valley, California

He 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.

Noah, from Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Born without eyes and inverted back legs, he travels to schools to teach about disability, redefine perceptions, tolerance, and acceptance. 

He also visits elderly care homes. Some said he should have been euthanised but he battles to show why not.

Willow, from Las Vegas, Nevada, survived the South Korean dog meat trade after his owners turned him to the slaughterhouse for being old. He suffered neglect, his ears cut, matted hair, a mouth of bad teeth and an infected tongue

Willow, from Las Vegas, Nevada, survived the South Korean dog meat trade after his owners turned him to the slaughterhouse for being old. He suffered neglect, his ears cut, matted hair, a mouth of bad teeth and an infected tongue

GUIDE/HEARING DOGS

Frances, a Labrador, from Staten Island, New York

Her owner adopted her after losing her eyesight while battling cancer and found out she was pregnant. 

She now helps her with motherhood, helping to guide her to preschool, and doctors appointments, as well as doing advocacy work.

Xaverie, from Berlin, New Hampshire

She helps her blind and autistic owner to communicate and feel more confident. She accompanies her owner to read braille books to children at a day care centre.

Klinger, from Folsom, California

He became the first ever certified dual purpose running guide dog in America, tasked with working alongside his blind owner, Richard, who was struck by a car while on a tandem bicycle.

His work helped Richard to become the second blind runner to complete a 100-mile run.

Frances, a Labrador, from Staten Island, New York was adopted by an owner who lost  her eyesight while battling cancer and found out she was pregnant. She now helps her with motherhood, helping to guide her to preschool, and doctors appointments, as well as doing advocacy work

Frances, a Labrador, from Staten Island, New York was adopted by an owner who lost her eyesight while battling cancer and found out she was pregnant. She now helps her with motherhood, helping to guide her to preschool, and doctors appointments, as well as doing advocacy work

MILITARY DOGS

Summer, a Labrador, from Mount Airy, Maryland

War dog deployed with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines to Afghanistan in 2012, where she conducted patrols, searched and found weapons caches and IEDS.

As well as clearing routes and getting caught in fire fights, he did bomb safety work for multiple areas and security for Pope Francis.

MWD Jig M834, from Lambertville, Missouri

Served as a Improvised Detection Dog for the U.S. Marine Corps for three years - and became the 'poster dog' for the service. 

After being discharged she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour and has battled six rounds of chemo.

Sergeant Fieldy, a Labrador, from McAllen, Texas

Served in Afghanistan in four tours combating IEDs and other explosives - including a 60lbs homemade plastic barrel bomb.

He was honoured with a K-9 Medal of Courage award on Capitol Hill, and participated in the New York Veteran's Day Parade.

K-9 Ruby tracked down a missing teenager when human rescuers couldn't find him

K-9 Ruby tracked down a missing teenager when human rescuers couldn't find him

SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS

K-9 Ruby, from East Greenwich, Rhode Island

A teen went missing for 36 hours and rescuers couldn't find him. The police dog, who spent time growing up with the teen, was dispatched and tracked him down

Piglet, from Lancaster, California

She 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.

Skye, from Dallas, Texas

After being abandoned she trained to become a disaster search dog, including her most recent 15-day deployment to Hurricane Harvey. 

She also serves as an unofficial therapy dog for her owner who has nil-low antibodies and suffers pneumonia and bronchitis.

Skye, from Dallas, is a disaster search dog, including a most recent 15-day deployment to Hurricane Harvey

Skye, from Dallas, is a disaster search dog, including a most recent 15-day deployment to Hurricane Harvey

SERVICE DOGS

Sampson, from Foosland, Illinois

He 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.

Charlie, from Tremont, Illinois

His owner Todd, 41, needed 21 brain surgeries and replaced shunts over the years after a stroke he had to learn to walk again.

He would likely not have been able to move without a walker without the support of his therapy dog. He also swims and recently finished a modified triathlon thanks to his pet.

Roxy, a Pit Bull, from Canton, North Carolina

His owner Justin, an Iraq war veteran who was blown-up by an IED, defies post-traumatic stress and a traumatic brain injury thanks to his therapy dog. She also now helps other veterans battling difficult times.

Roxy, the Pit Bull from Canton, North Carolina, helps war veterans with their PTSD

Roxy, the Pit Bull from Canton, North Carolina, helps war veterans with their PTSD

THERAPY DOGS

Chi Chi, from Phoenix, Arizona

The quadruple amputee left for dead in South Korea and found in a garbage bag with her legs bound, worn to the bone and necrotized. 

She's now used to her prosthetics and had cancerous tumours removed. She inspires people online through her online therapy work.

Jeanie, from Lake Charles, Los Angeles

Found homeless and crippled, the three-legged dog went from rescue to therapy dog. 

She comforts children who are questioned by forensic investigators in physical and sexual abuse cases, violent crimes and homicides. She also volunteers at hospitals, schools, nursing homes and more.

Bandit, a Great Dane, from St Robert, Missouri

Rescued at 14-weeks and found severely deformed, he now works with soldiers on suicide watch around the word.

For many soldiers with deformities he is a pillar of strength. He also supports children mourning lost parents and loved ones.

Bandit, a Great Dane, from St Robert, Missouri works with soldiers on suicide watch around the word

Bandit, a Great Dane, from St Robert, Missouri works with soldiers on suicide watch around the word

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