GORNO-ALTAISK, February 8 (RIA Novosti) - A veteran police dog from South Siberia has been awarded a medal for courage, dedication and professionalism, the Interior Ministry branch for the Republic of Altai said on Friday.

The dog named Zhasmin was honored for “the exemplary and faithful performance of its official duties,” in particular while enforcing law and order in Russia’s troubled North Caucasus region.

Zhasmin retired in January after 10 years of service with an excellent track record, including dozens of human lives it has saved, the ministry said in its citation.

“In 2012, during a special operation in a town in the North Caucasus region the dog spotted an improvised explosive device planted by the roadside,” the citation said. “Such example can be easily multiplied.”