While We Kill Our Trained Army Dogs After Service, Other Armies Just Give Them Up For Adoption!

Dogs serving in the armed forces around the world do more than just play catch and wag their tails. While undergoing extensive military training, the dogs are coached in commands that require them to hold their barks in situations of combat, lest they reveal their position to the enemy. They are taught to respond to military-specific hand gestures and verbal orders by their handlers. They are educated in sniffing out bombs and rounding off criminals. Clothed in protective military gear, these dogs of war play equal companions to soldiers. There is really no significant difference in the way they experience war.

Wikipedia

But what happens to these war dogs once they retire from the service? What does the future hold for these canine comrades who save over hundreds of soldier lives in war? By the time they turn eight or nine, they have nearly reached the end of their employable life. While some are ¡°put down¡± for unavoidable medical reasons, there are still others who are placed in new, loving homes. These options, however, vary from country to country.

Given below are accounts of four of the largest militaries of the world, on how they uphold the lives of their animal retirees.

1. The United States of America

In the US, over 300 ¡°veteran¡± dogs retire from the military every year. They are put up for adoption where around ninety percent are adopted by their own handlers, and the rest by civilians.

www.defense.gov

www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

Even though most of these dogs retire old and with a constant need for medication, the relationship they share with their handlers is considered ¡°legendary¡±.

2. India

Closer home, the fate of war dogs such as Labradors and German shepherds, is anything but hopeful. As soon as they retire from service, they are euthanized. The army believes their post-military care to be an expensive prospect, in tandem with their knowledge of ¡°sensitive locations¡± which can¡¯t be risked if they are given up for civilian adoption.

Inquisitr

defencetalk.net

The Times Times

Animal rights' groups have strongly condemned this act of euthanasia by the Indian Army, who by "playing god", is denying these dogs "food and shelter".

3. Russia

Extraordinarily adept at locating explosives and carrying out their patrol duties, the four-legged companions of the Russian military are adopted by servicemen upon retirement.

Barents Observer

Voices from Russia, Wordpress

Not only that, the dogs are given ¡°dignified care¡± during their remaining years, thus strengthening the bond of friendship between the conscript (or handler) and the dog.

4. The United Kingdom

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has time and again come under the scanner of animal rights¡¯ organizations for euthanizing their war dogs upon retirement. While the MoD has maintained that this was strictly due to ¡°behavioural issues¡± and medical reasons, the activists have worked mercilessly towards finding new homes for the retired canines.

assolutatranquillita.blogspot.in

ukforcesafghanistan.wordpress.com

As far as the civilian adoption is concerned, where it¡¯s not always feasible to place war dogs in homes with children, there are handlers who adopt their best-friends with a heart full of affection.