Military officer and dog both die by being targeted by the Taliban.

Army dog handler Lance Corporal Liam Taker and dog Theo, his Springer spaniel, served together and now have both died together. Lance Corporal Liam Tasker died after he was shot last Tuesday while he and Theo were out on patrol in Helmand Province. Theo had a seizure and died shortly afterwards.

It was only three weeks ago that Theo had been praised by the Ministry of Defence after making fourteen finds of weapons caches and hidden bombs in only five months, which is a record for a handler and his dog.

Theo, who was 22 months old, was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan and had his time in the country extended by a month because he had uncovered so many inprovised explosive devices (IEDs). Lance Corporal Tasker served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Ist Military Working Dog Regiment and had praised his dog for its dedication.

From Kirkcadly, Fife, Lance Corporal Tasker who was 26 years old, was the 358th member of the British Armed forces to die since 2001. His fatal injuries were sustained in a fire fight with the Taliban and Theo died after he returned to the military base in Camp Bastion. Theo’s ashes will be returned to Britain on the same plane as his handler, and both will be flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire next week.

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