Russell the New York-born Jack Russell terrier is probably the proudest dog in Hong Kong. The eight-year-old (above) last week became the first animal to win a Commen-dation for Bravery from British veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). In April 1999, the 'fearless dog full of beans' saved his owner Benjamin Lee from a 1.8-metre green snake (right), 'believed to be poisonous', that had slithered into Lee's living-room in Clear Water Bay. When the reptile lunged at his master the 'ever-alert' dog went into attack mode and disposed of it with one fatal bite. 'I could have died without his protection,' Lee said. Lee later wrote to PDSA - which awards the Dickin Medal to animals involved in war - and requested his pet be considered for a special award. Since Russell was a 'civilian' who had never seen real military action, the group came up with something different. However, he got more than a piece of paper. 'We were both happy,' Lee said. 'I bought him a big bone after the ceremony.'