Bravery medals for a trio of dogs that saved owners' lives

Anya, Frodo and Oi, who all saved their owners' lives, were recognised during the event at the Tower of London and presented with their awards by Graham Norton.

They were each given a PDSA Gold Medal, known as the animals' George Cross.

Anya, a German shepherd police dog, was stabbed in the chest while defending her handler Pc Neil Sampson in January 2008. In spite of her injuries, the two-and-a-half-year-old from the Wiltshire Police dog section continued to protect Pc Sampson who was stabbed seven times by his attacker. He said: "It is an absolute pleasure to have Anya beside me when I'm on duty."

Frodo, a five-year-old Beagle, saved his owner's family when fire swept through their home in Cumbria in June 2008.

Smoke alarms were faulty but Frodo sensed the danger and woke up his owner Jenny Barwise.

She said: "Frodo is such a special dog. He was so brave and we owe our lives to him."

Oi, a Staffordshire bull terrier, protected her owner's family when a gang armed with machetes forced their way into their home in July 2008.

She suffered a blow to the head but died in March from cancer, so yesterday she was honoured posthumously.