More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Saving the lives of civilians could become a reality every time soldiers from The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment come into contact with enemy insurgents in Afghanistan.
However, saving the life of a dog is not an essential requirement under Operation Herrick Nine.
Nevertheless, troops from 1PWRR did not hesitate when it came to saving a dog from Afghan children who had cruelly cut off its ears and tail.
KM Group reporter Chris Price is out in Afghanistan with our Kent troops. Here is his latest report from the frontlines.
The Kent-based regiment rescued the dog by taking him back to base and then adopted him.
They named him after the regiment’s nickname "The Tigers" and now Tigger lives with the soldiers at Patrol Base Minden south of Musa Qal’eh District Centre in northern Helmand province.
"He often comes out on patrol with us and he is a real morale booster for the lads," said Platoon Commander Lt Giles Walsh of B Company 1 PWRR.
"When you are out here it can get really tough so having Tigger as a pet is a welcome reminder of home for the boys when they are in between patrols."
Tigger is still only a puppy and is thought to be around six-months-old. He sleeps in the base’s mortar pits where there is shelter from the wind.
Yet his presence in the camp has illustrated cultural differences between the Kent troops and the Afghans.
Lt Walsh added: "The culture over here is to have dogs for fighting and the Afghan National Army (ANA) did not understand why we wanted to keep him as a pet.
"They do not like the fact we have made him soft but now we have come to an agreement that Tigger can stay."
On March 1 the troops from 1PWRR are due to return to the UK after having served their six-month tour. Tigger will remain at Patrol Base Minden but will come under the care of the Royal Welsh who will take over at the base.
"We have had an officer from the Royal Welsh here for a couple of weeks and he has got to know Tigger very well. He knows how important he was for us and he will make sure Tigger has a good home here in the future."
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