Theo receives the Victoria Cross

An Army explosives sniffer dog who died of a ‘broken heart’ just hours after his handler was killed in Afghanistan was given a posthumous award today.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, was shot by insurgents last year while on patrol in Helmand Province with his dog Theo – who died just a few hours later.

The pair, who were said to have been inseparable, detected a record 14 Taliban roadside bombs and weapons caches in five months, and are believed to have saved countless lives.

Their role was to provide search and clearance support, uncovering hidden weapons, improvised explosive devices and bomb-making equipment.

The springer spaniel was unhurt in the incident on March 1, but died just a few hours later of a seizure. His family believed he died of a broken heart.

Theo was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, known as the animals’ Victoria Cross, at Wellington Barracks, London, for his ‘gallantry and devotion’.