A British military dog that saved the lives of troops in Afghanistan is being decorated for bravery. Mali, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, on Friday received the Dickin medal, a prize awarded by the PDSA veterinary charity and billed as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, Britain’s top award for military valor. The charity says Mali was twice sent through direct fire to conduct searches for explo-sives. He also detected presence of insurgents, giving troops key seconds to “engage enemy in close-quarter combat.” Since 1943, medal has recognised gallantry by animals serving with the military, police or rescue services.