The awarding of animals in Army service began in June 1933. The unit got a citation from the Minister of the Army and the animal was presented the wearable award by the Regimental Commander. When these awards were to be worn was at the discretion of the unit commanders. As you see below, the leather bands were color coded by class, green being 1st class.
The design of the 1st and 2nd class awards for dogs and horses was done by the sculptor Jitsuzo Hinago (日名子実三), who had also done the War Medals for the Manchurian and China Incidents. The 3rd classes were both the work of Yuhachi Ikeda (池田勇八) a sculptor known for his horse themes.
More on the sculptor, Hinago here. Read posts 83 and 86. https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/japan...9/#post1773866
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