THREE security dogs have been been honoured with a Special Jury prize at this year’s Palm Dog Awards ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

The dogs - two-year-old Lilou, Glock, four, and Even, seven - were given the special commendation award by film critic Kate Muir on behalf of all sniffer dogs saving lives and battling terrorism around the world.

 

Palm Dog founder Toby Rose said: “This award salutes all the dogs around the world who are involved in the fight against terrorism.

 

“In recent days we have been reminded of the work, often unsung, they do to help protect us all.

 

“Today we also remember Diesel, the seven-year-old Belgian Shepherd dog who died during a counter-terrorism raid following the Bataclan attack in Paris.”

 

Palm Dog jury member Kate Muir, chief film critic of The Times, said: “There was a security alert earlier this week at a screening in the Salle Debussy in Cannes.

 

“Everyone was told to leave. A security detail and two dogs burst in. They ran in as we ran out. It was heroic in these dark and strange times.”

 

At the ceremony in Cannes today - which celebrates dogs in film - the prestigious Palm Dog Collar was awarded to Bruno, a standard white poodle, who appears in Netflix’s highly-acclaimed The Meyerowitz Stories, starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Noah Baumbach.

 

In a classic scene-stealing performance, Bruno trips up sculptor Harold Meyerowitz, played by Hoffman.

 

The Grand Jury Prize went to Lupo - a black German Shepherd who is stolen by a rebellious 13-year-old girl who is going blind - in the hard-hitting Lea Mysius film Ava.

 

The Palm DogManitarian Award was presented to Hollywood legend Leslie Caron. The Franco-American actress stars with companion Tchi Tchi, a 17-year-old rescue dog, in the ITV drama The Durrells.

 

Leslie, who starred in An American in Paris alongside Gene Kelly, said: “We are thrilled. The Palm DogManitarian Award recognises the bond which connects canines and humans.

 

“That bond is there between myself and Tchi Tchi and it is especially wonderful to receive this award at the 70th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival.”

 

Jury members were Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian; Kaleem Aftab, The Independent; Charles Gant, Screen International/Heat; Kate Muir, The Times; Anna Smith, Elle Magazine & Metro; Damon Wise, Empire.

 

The event took place today at the UK Film Centre in the International Village, Cannes.

 

Past winners of Palm Dog Awards include Ken Loach and Uggie from The Artist.