TRIBUTES have been paid to a heroic dog who saved the lives of hundreds of people in disaster zones around the world.

Eleven year old Byron was deployed to crises in Japan, the Czech Republic and Germany, as well as assisting in emergency situations in Hampshire.

The courageous canine died last week aged eleven after complications from a spinal injury it had picked up while training as a puppy.

Based in Stockbridge with his handler Robin Furniss, he was one of the world’s most highly trained hounds, having passed the UN’s Mission Readiness test.

Byron searched for survivors in after the 2011 tsunami and had completed Urban Search and Rescue exercises in across Europe.

Closer to home he had been called to collapsed buildings in London and even a gas explosion in Woolston.

Mr Furniss said: “He was a proper dog, among the best.

“He had a phenomenal nose and was a favourite of the team.

“He was extremely hard working and even though he lived with me I think he would have been offended to have been called a pet - he was part of the family.”

On Twitter Mark Bradley said it was “sad news” while HFRS Prince’s Trust called the bombshell “heartbreaking”.

Byron passed on some of his skills to Shelley - another rescue dog also looked after by Mr Furniss.

The courageous canine died last week with complications from a spinal injury he had picked up while training as a puppy.

He astounded top vets at the time by making a recovery and returning to work after a programme of medication, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.