The Most Decorated Dog in U.S. History—Who Protected the Obamas from an Intruder—Has Died · Kinship Leave a comment

Hurricane, a beloved former Particular Operations Canine with the USA Secret Service and essentially the most embellished canine in U.S. historical past, has handed away at age 15. A really heroic pup, his legacy of bravery and sacrifice will reside on.

Hurricane is finest recognized for an act of braveness in 2012, when he took down a White Home intruder whereas the Obama household was inside. A 23-year-old man had climbed the White Home fence and are available inside 100 yards of the Obamas, reported the New York Instances. He fought off the primary Secret Service canine he encountered, however Hurricane was capable of wrestle him to the bottom, sustaining an damage to his hip within the course of.

“Hurricane confirmed excessive self-discipline and focus from day considered one of his coaching, and we knew he was going to excel in efficiency on the highest ranges,” Deputy Chief Richard Macauley of the Secret Service instructed Hurricane Heroes, a non-profit created by Hurricane’s handler in 2022. “I consider the intruder would have hoped Hurricane was not on responsibility as a result of from that day on, he’ll know to not mess with a person’s finest good friend.”

For his bravery and ability, Hurricane was honored with USSS Award for Benefit, the DHS Award for Valor, the PDSA Order of Benefit, AMC Prime Canine in 2016, and was the primary canine to obtain the Animal’s in Battle and Peace Distinguished Service Medal, the Hurricane Heroes web site shared. In 2022, Hurricane was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Secret Service, in line with The Hill.

After his retirement in 2016, Hurricane’s handler, Marshall Mirarchi, devoted himself to Hurricane’s Heroes, a company that gives veterinary look after retired working canine. Medical consideration, even whether it is for accidents {that a} canine sustained whereas on the job — just like the hip damage Hurricane suffered whereas defending the Obamas — aren’t sometimes coated after legislation enforcement and army canine retire. Because it was based, Hurricane’s Heroes has helped over 150 retired canine obtain veterinary consideration.

Hurricane is remembered as an affectionate, selfless canine who cherished taking part in with Kong toys and having fun with adventures up till the very finish. “As a lot as we knew this time was coming there was no method to put together,” Mirarchi instructed PHL17 Information. “We miss him a lot. An enormous gap that may by no means get replaced.”