AN Exmouth former Royal Marine who saved the lives of stray dogs in war-torn Afghanistan has received an award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
AN Exmouth former Royal Marine who saved the lives of stray dogs in war-torn Afghanistan has received an award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Sergeant Paul 'Penny' Farthing and his wife Lisa set up the Nowzad Dogs charity after being touched by the plight of abandoned and badly-treated dogs in the war zone.
Last week Sgt Farthing was presented with his Pets and People award at IFAW's Animal Action Awards ceremony, hosted by Baroness Gale at the House of Lords.
While on duty in Afghanistan, Sgt Farthing and 42 Commando, who trained at Lympstone, smuggled to safety two dogs - Nowzad and Tali - under the noses of the Taliban from the streets of Helmand Province.
On their return to the UK, the dogs were re-homed by Sgt Farthing at his Exmouth home.
After word spread pet dogs were being mistreated and left on the streets to fend for themselves in Afghanistan, money started to trickle in and the official charity was set up.
For more information about Nowzad Dogs charity visit: www.nowzaddogs.co.uk
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