The fate of military dogs - did anyone know about this?

[Stinky The Clown]

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 (H.R. 4310) THAT DECLARES THAT OUR MILITARY WORKING DOGS OF ALL BREEDS WILL NO LONGER BE CLASSIFIED AS "MILITARY EQUIPMENT" TO BE LEFT BEHIND IN FOREIGN LANDS...BUT AS MILITARY VETERANS. THESE DOGS NOW WILL BE RETURNING TO LACKLAND AFB IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS FOR THEIR SERVICES AS US HEROES. THEY WILL BE EVALUATED, AND RETRAINED AND RE-HOMED IF NEEDED. Finally getting the treatment they deserve. They don't deserve to serve our country and get left behind.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=276702159139805&set=a.259184900891531.1073741828.259179730892048&type=1

I didn't know this.

I can't imagine the circumstances of the photograph. Actually, I *can* imagine it. I just don't want to.

[BainsBane]

1. Yes, I heard something about that

It's excellent. The handler and dog form very close bonds. Besides, all the time and money they put into training those dogs, why would they want to leave them behind?

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Evolution.

As a society, we are evolving into more humane creatures, who realize that other animals also deserve respect.

It is about time.

[hamsterjill]

8. Yes, and some of us have been pushing uphill to get there!!!

I am delighted to see the attention that is being paid to animal causes these days. My own city is working hard to get to "no kill" status. I follow a group called the Beagle Freedom Project, which rescues beagles used in labs, as well as many other groups with exciting developments.

As you indicate, I truly do believe that we are evolving and learning that we must co-exist with the animals around us, including respecting them for what they bring to the world.

As to the military dogs - this only makes sense. They are heroes and should be treated with dignity and honor.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. That picture punches me in the gut, really hard.

It could be my own dog. The color is exactly the same, right down to the gray on the underside of her chin. I have also seen that facial expression many, many times.

[BobbyBoring]

5. Same here!

fantastic dogs!

[alsame]

4. I can't believe I didn't hear about this. Here's more info

that I just found...

Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 (H.R. 4310), which authorizes the Secretaries of the various military services to transfer back to Lackland Air Force Base or another location for adoption any Military Working Dog (MWD) who is to be retired and for whom “no suitable adoption is available at the military facility where the dog is located.” This language is needed to ensure that the military returns MWDs to the U.S. so that prospective adopters do not face that expense. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to create a program to provide veterinary care to adopted retired MWDs. Such a program will not involve federal funds. Representative Walter Jones, Jr. (R-NC) in the House and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in the Senate sponsored the original legislation on which these new provisions are based.

--snip--

There have been many reports of the bravery of MWDs, the sacrifices they have made, the many lives they have saved, and even the suffering they have experienced from post-traumatic stress disorder. Some MWDs have served multiple tours of duty. The U.S. Department of Defense reports that there are 2,700 MWDs in service within about 600 in war zones, and another 200 working through contractors. In 2010, MWD teams found at least 12,500 pounds of explosives, and probably more. It seems that everyone, from the dogs' handlers to top military brass, recognizes that MWDs are "not just a piece of equipment," but rather "heroes" and "true members of the military."

Except when the time came to discharge them. While MWDs are now eligible for adoption, they were entitled to no more consideration than equipment when it came to returning them to a home base. Thus, if placement was not possible in the country where the dog had been serving, then any potential adopter in the U.S. had to pay the steep costs of transporting the dog stateside. Moreover, adopting families might have faced hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary care for problems related to their dogs' military service.

To rectify this inequity, Rep. Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act (H.R. 4103 and S. 2134). This legislation (1) Specified that MWDs are not to be considered as "equipment" and reclassifies them as canine members of the armed forces; (2) Authorized the Secretary of the appropriate military service to transport any MWD back to the 341st Training Squadron or elsewhere for adoption; (3) Authorized the Secretary of Defense to accept travel premiums (such as frequent flyer miles) to facilitate the adoption of an MWD; (4) Authorized the Defense Secretary to contract with a private nonprofit entity to operate a system for providing veterinary care to adopted MWDs (no federal funds were to be used to maintain the system or provide veterinary care); and (5) Directed the Defense Secretary to create some form of recognition for MWDs killed in action or for exceptional service.

More:
http://awionline.org/content/canine-members-armed-forces-act

[meti57b]

7. My thanks to Rep. Jones and Senator Blumenthal!

[meti57b]

6. I never knew they left the dogs behind.

That is awful!

I think I'll pass on reading the article. The comment is bad enough.

I would have thought that the folks who worked with those dogs would have asked to keep them after their service is over and bring them home.

My thanks to President Obama! .... also to the persons who initiated this new policy and worked towards it being made into standard procedure or law (which ever it is).

[phantom power]

9. one more step toward becoming the people they think we are

"lord help me be the man my dog thinks i am"

[IrishAyes]

10. That picture would make a stone cry.

The new law is way overdue. Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm also glad that more emergency organizations are starting to allow disaster victims to bring their pets with them. For a long time I've wanted to urge everyone to make an approved muzzle for any pet dogs part of their emergency kits at home, along with some dog food. Not every first responder department will allow dogs w/o a muzzle. Can't be too cautious. I have one for both my dogs and we're in just about as safe a place as imaginable, even though the MidWest. Topography seems to deflect tornadoes even though we do get some fierce straight-line winds, and we're 870 feet above sea level. The nearest body of water takes out lower towns during floods. But you still can't be too careful.