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The Straight Story

(48,121 posts) Wed Feb 6, 2013, 09:55 AM Feb 2013

Should Service Dogs be Allowed to be Buried in Military Cemeteries? [View all]

Should Service Dogs be Allowed to be Buried in Military Cemeteries?

The Obama administration has been asked to change the rules regarding military cemeteries to allow military service dogs to be buried among soldiers.

A petition was filed with the White House’s “We the People” website requesting the rule changing, while citing the story of Mina, a dog who served nine tours in Afghanistan. Mina was promoted to sergeant and received an honorable discharge from the military, before dying at the age of 13 back in the United States.

The dog’s owner, June Etlinger, contacted the government to see if Mina could be buried at a local veterans’ cemetery, but was laughed at and told that canine burials were not permitted.

“They have ranks. They have serial numbers tattooed in their ears,” Etlinger’s husband, Robin, told the Tri-County Times. “They’re just like soldiers and they have a right to be honored as a soldier.”

http://www.allgov.com/news/unusual-news/should-service-dogs-be-allowed-to-be-buried-in-military-cemeteries-130205?news=846967

47 replies

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Should Service Dogs be Allowed to be Buried in Military Cemeteries? [View all] The Straight Story Feb 2013 OP

yes.it's our last duty to them. nt xchrom Feb 2013 #1

Yes! They deserve the same honor as Human Soldiers. el_bryanto Feb 2013 #2

Why are people cool with dogs being exploited like this? sadalien Feb 2013 #3

What? el_bryanto Feb 2013 #6

Not saying that people requested them sadalien Feb 2013 #8

I don't think the majority of people think dogs in the military is "neato." intheflow Feb 2013 #14

You for or against the military using dophins? sadalien Feb 2013 #20

False equivalency. intheflow Feb 2013 #21

No it isn't sadalien Feb 2013 #23

That you think they are lesser than humans intheflow Feb 2013 #25

That's rather presumptuous and intolerant. sadalien Feb 2013 #29

You must have missed the "and/or" part. intheflow Feb 2013 #36

You are all over the map sadalien Feb 2013 #42

And you still haven't made a cogent argument for any of your statements. intheflow Feb 2013 #44

don't really know you sadalien Feb 2013 #45

Because we exploit humans like that. nt Deep13 Feb 2013 #26

Damn straight. n/t MadrasT Feb 2013 #4

yes, why is this an issue? irisblue Feb 2013 #5

And, they didn't volunteer -- they had no choice obamanut2012 Feb 2013 #16

space limitations. nt Deep13 Feb 2013 #27

my 75# goldens ashes' fit in a 6 by 6 inch bag. irisblue Feb 2013 #31

That might be a good compromise, then. nt Deep13 Feb 2013 #33

Space Limitations? RC Feb 2013 #34

Of course we should not be in so many wars. Deep13 Feb 2013 #38

My gut response? JustAnotherGen Feb 2013 #7

I don't think anyone is saying that is has to be either/or. Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #10

It's not even the either/or JustAnotherGen Feb 2013 #43

Why not, especially if the handler can be buried buried there.... Historic NY Feb 2013 #9

Yes ... Myrina Feb 2013 #11

Absolutely. Lugnut Feb 2013 #12

Shouldn't be an issue at all HERVEPA Feb 2013 #13

Yes obamanut2012 Feb 2013 #15

No. Not because I don't love dogs Demo_Chris Feb 2013 #17

I think they should. They serve in the military and that is what's relevant. I understand the horses okaawhatever Feb 2013 #18

I want 2 add that I think there should be a special section for service animals unless their handler okaawhatever Feb 2013 #19

Of course they should. Dogs serve honorably and true. Autumn Feb 2013 #22

No. They're dogs. lumberjack_jeff Feb 2013 #24

+1 nt Deep13 Feb 2013 #28

Disrespectful to Hindu and Muslim soldiers. wickerwoman Feb 2013 #30

It's a freakin' dog. Not a soldier. This shit is silly. Comrade Grumpy Feb 2013 #32

We rely on their domestication, which we achieved, to trust us and then send them to do work which GodlessBiker Feb 2013 #35

This ^ Adsos Letter Feb 2013 #40

my husband's guide dog saved his life twice. liberal_at_heart Feb 2013 #46

Let the dog submit a formal request prior to death Orrex Feb 2013 #37

Yes, without doubt. Adsos Letter Feb 2013 #39

Yes. They sacrifice their lives just like the humans do. That deserves honoring. liberal_at_heart Feb 2013 #41

I see no harm. kestrel91316 Feb 2013 #47