This story makes me feel sick to my stomach. It seems after years of growth and advancement in the field of canine military welfare, the British Government has regressed to the Vietnam era policies of euthanasia and abandonment. So wrong on so many levels.
— Kenn
Fearless and loyal, the guard dogs protecting our troops are the unsung heroes on the front line.
But 807 of our much-loved military dogs have been destroyed by the Army over the past decade despite years of faithful service.
Many were healthy but bosses classed the dogs as too fierce to see out their days as a pet.
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have resulted in a sharp rise in the numbers being put down, figures obtained from the Ministry of Defence show.
Labour MP Kerry McCarthy said: “This is shocking. It seems a great shame that animals are destroyed in this way. We need to make sure that every effort is made to find them new homes.”
Twenty dogs were destroyed in 2002, the first full year of the conflict in Afghanistan.
But that figure shot up to 89 in 2003 when the Second Gulf War was launched.
The numbers dropped back before rising again to 95 in 2006 when thousands more British troops were sent to Afghanistan.
The figures for 2002 to 2011 peaked at 125 in 2009 when troops were still stationed in Iraq, the MoD revealed in answers to freedom of information requests.
When a sniffer dog’s service comes to an end it usually goes to live with its handler’s family.
This story makes me sick to my stomach. After all these years of change and growth as to the care of military working dogs, the British Government seems to have regressed back to Vietnam all over again.
— Kenn
But the unflinching animals trained to guard bases often do not make good pets.
Roughly half of the dogs destroyed in 2009 and 2010 were put down because of behavioural issues or old age, it has been revealed by the MoD.
A spokeswoman said that the animals are given retraining in the hope of calming them down and finding them a new home but she added it does not always work.
She said: “Military working dogs play an invaluable role in Afghanistan and are much loved by troops.
“Most are rehomed after their service but regrettably some have to be put down because of serious illness or injury.
“The increased number being put down reflects the greater numbers of dogs helping to protect our troops on the front line.”
Animal welfare charity the Dogs Trust said: “We are opposed to the premature euthanasia of working dogs when retired or no longer able to perform their duties.
“We actively encourage rehoming and retirement programmes.”
But a spokeswoman added: “The charity recognises that for some specific cases rehoming is very sadly not an option.”
thats just a sad story!!!bastards anyways!!!wheres the loyalty?
so so sad this is typical of the government, they let men women and animal risk life but do nothing to care for them after, makes me so sad
That absolutely sickens me, what a way to repay a loyal servant.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma GandhiSHAME ON YOU, U.K! I am appalled!
What in the name of God is wrong with these heartless subhumans??? These dogs were loyal companions that saved numerous lives at the risk of their own and you kill them like you are disconnecting a robot you no longer need or want. You should be ashamed of yourselves! There is no selfless love or loyalty equal to that of a dog. These dogs were what the government made them, and they deserved a chance to be loved after their loyal service. I hope God looks down on those responsible and punishes them severely. I’m ashamed for all of those responsible.
Basterds!!!!!! I’m sure if people that were for adoption there wouldbe a line up fir new peers be for one!!!!!!!!!!
I am also saddened by this information. I am even more surprised that no one else has responded. There are millions of dog/animal lovers in many countries. I just noticed one thing below the comment box. I am very new to FB etc. I bit old for it all but I finally thought I should try at the least. So maybe this means nothing but below the comments box it gives a date of 4/10/12 and then says COMMENTS OFF ??? so does that mean this comment won’t show up? I will post and then go check. Sincerely, Sarah Evans at [email protected]
Its very sad, but if they are not suitable to be rehomed then better that than a miserable existence caged up somewhere.
I have a hard time believing so many dogs are mot able to be rehabilitated.
Even over a ten+ year span.
It sounds like a simple case of laziness and apathy.
That is such bullshit! If they say their dogs are unadoptable because of their training, then the are doing it wrong. Former police and military dogs get adopted into loving families with no problems all the time. They should be ashamed of themselves.
I guess we’re going to start euthanizing the human soldiers who come back with injuries or mental illnesses now too. I mean, we don’t want to put the time or money into helping our animal heros now, so might as well do it to everyone. Let us all remember that our canine comrades don’t get paid nor do they have a choice if they want to risk their lives for countries that don’t even have the decency to find homes for them. They’re living creatures, not play toys or tools…
If you can’t retrain a dog after it’s use maybe you shouldn’t put them in harms way to begin with!! Just another sad and sickening way humans take advantage of our trusting canine Friends!
I really think you should change the word destroyed in this article to put down or euthanized. Every time you say destroyed I’m imagining soldiers strapping C4 to dogs and screaming “fire in the hole”.
On a more serious note I can understand the need to put some dogs down. Not all dogs are the picture of companionship and love that many people believe they are. Some dogs are just broken. They can’t be retrained. There’s just something wrong with them. So either you lock them up in a cage for the rest of their lives or you put them down.
beg to differ, 99% of those dogs can be retrained, and will be good pets. Considering that I am around Schutzhunde all the time I for once know what I am talking about..and if it goes for the word destroying…they destroyed their lifes…so nothing wrong with saying it as it is. By the way, if the word Schutzhund doesn’t ring a bell, its a police trained dog. Oh and yes they do bite on comment..but its not a fighting dog as you see them. The do have an off button, which is why they are on duty, all those dogs are not random killers, they are very well trained dogs which go through a long and hard school. When they are off the job, they are pets, with families around them..and yes, kids.
I can understand the dogs may be trained to be aggressive at a command. That doesn’t mean the dog must be put down when they job is done. Wouldn’t the UK be able to find SOMEWHERE to place the dogs as security for businesses, security companies, prisons, etc? This is such a waste of a good dog – no matter what the breed would be. So sad…..
The loyal dog and the Government…I cannot make a comment. It is quite obvious to me who is wrong in this one. How sickening and shameful are the humans
Adding to my latest comment, is there some way to contact the UK government (regarding this article) to see if there would be a chance to keep these dogs in service? That is such a waste of training – these dogs have excelled in their jobs, and to put them down when “we” feel we don’t need them anymore is so wasteful! I am sure the dogs do respond to kindness, or their handlers would not be in control…Please, somebody send suggestions for saving the dogs’ lives to the powers that be!
Ken, do you know where this request can be sent?
Linda S.
The government should be ashamed of themselves – these animals are true hero’s and should be sent back home with their serviceman or woman or allowed to be adopted — We don’t euthanize our service people after they have served do we?????????????????????????????
just disgusting..A trained dog is what a trained dog is…they do their jobs on comment and then they are back to being a pet…Plenty of people can adopt a dog like this, they are nothing but good ole dogs which had a higher education…Shame on you UK, i did expected a bit more from you
Some specific cases the animals can’t be rehomed. Some or 800? It would be nice to see
what numbers the US would show us
Some soldiers come home having severe behavioral and mental issues. Should we euthanize them as well for not being able to come home from a WAR and hop right back into appropriate social behavior? Fucking idiots. I’m sure the soldiers have had a disagreement with this, a bond between man and service dog cannot be broken, sometimes you only trust that service dog.
What sick bastards get to do this dirty job for the military and keep the info boiling inside them until they explode with rage and kill?
That’s soooooooo sad and I can’t see how they could be soooooo cruel as to murder these Great animals who have served their Country at the sides of their handlers. They should have the same respect as humans after their service in the war and have the rights to a good home with someone who will accept them for who they are and with lots of Love from families I know they would make beautiful pets. The UK Government should be ashamed of themselves for destroying these fine Dogs, it’s like they used them and then throw them away like an old rag. They wouldn’t do this to human soldiers and they shouldn’t do it to these heros either.
Response to my enquiry: While I cannot pass comment on the whole of the British armed forces I am in a position to comment on the Royal Air Force Police as I am currently the Provost Marshals Dog Inspector. I think the picture speaks for itself. The article writer and the researchers can’t even be bothered to find a picture of British MWD handlers let alone take the time to get their information right. To put the record straight every effort is made to re-home dogs when they are no longer fit for duty through age or illness. Clearly those animals which are trained to bite cannot always be re-homed due to temperament. However, many of these are utilised as course dogs and continue to live a full and healthy life. There will always be individual dogs who cannot be re-homed or used within the training environment who sadly will be euthanised. It is with extreme sadness that this decision is made. It is not taken lightly! Every animal within the British forces is treated with respect, compassion and love. Certainly all vets known to me have endless compassion for the animals and will not consider euthanasia unless absolutely necessary. Since taking up post some five months ago I have received seven applications to retire patrol dogs from service. all have been successful. During my last tour I was personally responsible for retiring eight GSDs to their handlers. I speak for most if not all of the RAF Police and a large percent of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps when I say that the practice of euthanazing healthy animals would be abhorrent and would meet with severe backlash. If there are people out there who do not believe how much we care for and respect our dogs may I suggest they visit the dog cemetery at mount pleasant in the Falklands. These animals are our family! God bless our dogs!
I love how they attack a file photo while admitting, “oh yeah, we kill ’em.”
Joleen Marcotte · Aviation Mechanic .Navy.
I work with Military Working Dogs and train working dogs as a hobby. Although it is tragic that sometimes these dogs have to be humanely euthanized, I do know that sometimes it is the only option for some dogs because they can be very aggressive and deemed a hazard to anyone else besides an experienced handler. All dogs up for retirement/adoption must pass a series of tests that test the dogs’ temperament in different real life situations; some of these dogs are not able to be trusted around children or other pets. These dogs are very difficult to adopt because most people won’t want the responsibility and liability of having a potentially dangerous animal and some states require that you register such animals as a dangerous animal. This can lead to several high fees for registration and some insurance companies won’t even cover you if you own one of these animals. Yes it’s sad but you have to look at what these dogs have endured and the service that they have given for their country and just be happy that they made it back and were able to have a peaceful passing with the loving people that cared for them daily. The average K9 is retired and the age of 8-9 years, these dogs have spent almost an entire lifetime in service and have been trained to act a certain way for years. This type of training is a part of the dogs’ demeanor and it would be unrealistic to think that a dog that is extremely handler protective and aggressive to others could be retained at the age of 8 or 9. The average person won’t understand this because they don’t know what it’s like to work with a K9 partner and don’t fully understand the training that these dogs go thru. There’s a bond between the K9’s and their handler that is always strong but sometimes you have to know when it’s time to let go. Every K9 that dies whether it’s been euthanized or KIA, receives full honors and a hero’s funeral. Make no mistake; these dogs are loved from the moment they are born to the moment they pass on.
If the dogs were trained using modern more effective positive training techniques that the bomb sniffing dogs go through rather than the outdated alpha male humiliation techniques perhaps the dogs would be able to be rehabiliated. The behavioural science is out there to do this.
This is just awful, but so typical of the UK, these brave loyal animals should be treated with compassion, they are soldiers, they protect and serve, the USA k9’s are treated like hero’s, which of course they are, British k9’s should be treated in the same way.