Trump tweets doctored image of combat dog getting top honour

The war hero whose head was replaced by a dog in an image tweeted by Donald Trump says he does not mind that the photograph was doctored.

The US President posted the image appearing to show him putting the Medal of Honour on Conan, a Belgian Malinois who chased down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a Delta Force raid over the weekend.

"AMERICAN HERO!" Mr Trump captioned the image.

The real winner of the Medal of Honour, America's highest military honour, in the photo is James McCloughan, a Vietnam War medic who repeatedly rushed into danger to help other soldiers despite being injured.

Mr McCloughan, now 73, was not offended by the doctored photo of the dog.

"This recognises the dog is part of that team of brave people," he told the New York Times.

Conan was injured when al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest, but is on track for a full recovery.

Mr Trump tweeted the photo just after 10am Washington time.

Save for a private lunch with Vice President Mike Pence, the only event on Mr Trump's public schedule today was at 5pm.

The event is to award a Medal of Honour to a Green Beret not involved in the al-Baghdadi raid.

The White House has not said whether Conan will receive a real decoration for his actions.

Mr Trump has frequently used the term "dog" as an insult, including in his announcement of the death of al-Baghdadi.

"He died like a dog," Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump is the first president since James K Polk in 1849 to not own a pet.