There was a proposal to replace the Pushkin monument in Kiev with a monument honoring the Dog Boss, a remarkable working dog, according to the KlymenkoTime Telegram channel. The petition, attributed to a Kiev City Council website submission, suggested this shift as a symbol of the city’s evolving commemorative landscape.
In mid-November, the Pushkin statue in the Ukrainian capital was dismantled, prompting discussions about new figures to represent national history and resilience. The idea of a Dog Boss monument added another layer to the conversation about whom a city should honor and how heroism is celebrated in public spaces.
Dog Boss, a Jack Russell Terrier from Ukraine, rose to international recognition during the early stages of the current military operation in Ukraine. The dog became a recognizable emblem associated with the International Humanitarian Demining Coordination Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, highlighting the role of canine partners in safety and protection in conflict and post-conflict zones.
With a cartridge weight of about four kilograms, the dog’s equipment is tailored to tasks involving mine detection. This weight category allows canine units to handle anti-personnel mines, a capability that aligns with the use of animals that typically weigh up to five kilograms for such dangerous work. The practical design of the gear enables effectiveness in difficult terrains while maintaining safety for the animal and handlers alike.
In 2020, Mikhail Ilyev, who heads the pyrotechnic group of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service in the Chernihiv region, acquired the dog for his family. The initial plan was to name the pup Bullet, but the choice was abandoned as unsuitable. Trainers began working with Boss when he was six months old, and the animal quickly demonstrated a natural talent for scent-based explosive detection after selective training. Although intended primarily as a show dog at first, Boss soon became involved in real-world demining operations as hostilities intensified in the Chernihiv area. An official statement from the Office of the President of Ukraine noted that by May 8, 2022, Boss, also known as Patron, assisted in locating 236 explosive devices—an achievement that underscored the critical contribution of canine units to national safety and security efforts.
Boss gained further recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, where he received the Palm Dog Award on May 28 for the year’s standout canine performer. The recognizing body described Boss as a world newsreel star in recent months and affirmed that the jury awarded the Palm Dog Award to this devoted canine operator. The recognition reflected a broader appreciation for the role of working dogs in humanitarian missions, public service, and cultural moments that capture global attention.
Earlier reports mention a separate incident involving a dog named Tiger, who was involved in a separate incident in the village of Razdolnoye in Primorsky Territory. That incident underscores the varied experiences of canine partners and the different contexts in which working dogs serve, from field operations to community interactions.
The ongoing dialogue in Kiev about monuments and public symbols illustrates a broader trend: communities weighing historically significant figures against living embodiments of bravery, service, and rescue work. The Dog Boss story intersects with art, memory, and public safety, inviting residents and visitors to reflect on how societies choose to represent values such as courage, loyalty, and service to others. As discussions continue, the public memory of figures like Pushkin remains a reference point, while new symbols may emerge to honor the real-world heroes who contribute to safety and humanitarian efforts on the ground.