Lobbying for Military Dags

[Samba]

When a dog isn't a dog – CNN Security Clearance - CNN.com Blogs

[Mrs.K]

I can understand why dogs are equipment just like I can understan that they are property under the law.

And I can understand why money plays a huge role in all of this and why they simply can't and won't humanize them to a point where money is spended on the wrong end. Yes, in a sense they are soldiers but they are still equipment and they also have a job. That job is to save lives. It ain't pretty and as bad as it sounds the dogs are out there to protect my husband. So it's either the dogs or my husband and I'd rather have the military spend to supply my husband. Especially now with all those cuts

Military, is Military. Treat the dogs with respect but don't push it. It's war... not a dog rescue mission, however, leaving them behind after the job is done, shouldn't be an option either because to me that seems to be a huge waste of resources. These dogs are NOT cheap.

[AbbyK9]

If I am not mistaken, the article is about this organization - https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryWor...classification

The organization is trying to have military working dogs reclassified from equipment to K-9 soldiers to help get them the medical care they need and deserve once retired and also to make adoptions easier.

A lot of the time when dogs are retired while they're outside of the US, it would be up to the person wanting to adopt the dog to pay for the shipping to bring the dog back stateside, which makes it difficult for dogs overseas to find adopters and find homes to live out the rest of their lives.

I think it's unfortunate that both military and police dogs, once they retire, receive no funding for any kind of medical care. Since most of the dogs are retired due to medical reasons that keep them from doing their jobs - like arthritis or cancer or kidney failure or other major issues - it can be hard to find them homes because you're basically handing off a dog that needs A LOT of expensive medical care.

In some areas, those needs are met with donations ... for example, Vermont has Lacy's Fund, which helps pay for medical bills for retired police dogs. Maybe something similar could be set up for retired working dogs, to help pay their medical bills and make adoptions easier? I don't know. Just a thought.

[KZoppa]

I can understand the upset by leaving the dogs who are retired overseas, overseas instead of bringing them home where they belong to retire them. However, if my husband is working with a dog overseas, personally, if it comes down to him coming home or the dog coming home, I choose my husband coming home.

I do agree with the fact we have a half empty plane flying back and forth all the time so it shouldnt be too difficult to put the dog on the plane and bring them home. There are tons of people who have active applications in the system at lackland waiting for a dog to adopt that has been retired so its not like homes are lacking really.

tough deal all around.

[Mrs.K]

Originally Posted by AbbyK9

If I am not mistaken, the article is about this organization - https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryWor...classification

The organization is trying to have military working dogs reclassified from equipment to K-9 soldiers to help get them the medical care they need and deserve once retired and also to make adoptions easier.

A lot of the time when dogs are retired while they're outside of the US, it would be up to the person wanting to adopt the dog to pay for the shipping to bring the dog back stateside, which makes it difficult for dogs overseas to find adopters and find homes to live out the rest of their lives.

I think it's unfortunate that both military and police dogs, once they retire, receive no funding for any kind of medical care. Since most of the dogs are retired due to medical reasons that keep them from doing their jobs - like arthritis or cancer or kidney failure or other major issues - it can be hard to find them homes because you're basically handing off a dog that needs A LOT of expensive medical care.

In some areas, those needs are met with donations ... for example, Vermont has Lacy's Fund, which helps pay for medical bills for retired police dogs. Maybe something similar could be set up for retired working dogs, to help pay their medical bills and make adoptions easier? I don't know. Just a thought.

That is one thing I agree with. BEFORE the dog is adopted out, the dog should have all necessary vet care and transporting done and funded by the military. Once the dog hits Stateside and is adopted out the Military should not be responsible for the dog anymore. The owner knows what he/she gets himself into, agreed to adopt the dog and therefor take responsibility for the Vetcare.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

That is one thing I agree with. BEFORE the dog is adopted out, the dog should have all necessary vet care and transporting done and funded by the military. Once the dog hits Stateside and is adopted out the Military should not be responsible for the dog anymore. The owner knows what he/she gets himself into, agreed to adopt the dog and therefor take responsibility for the Vetcare.

yes.

[Mrs.K]

However, if it takes 10 000 - 30 000 USD to fix up a dog... please put the dog to sleep and use that money for some very much needed supplies to aid other dog handler teams. I know this is probably going to cause an outrage but in these times, with severe cuts and when money is tide... you got to be a pragmatic thinker at some point and draw a line of what is doable and what isn't.

[LoveEcho]

Interestingly, MWD's are assigned a rank one level above their handlers so that if abuse occurs it's considered striking a superior and is punishable by court marshal... there's a huge push to streamline the adoption of MWD's, DH and I have been on the waiting list for quite a while... *fingers crossed*

[wildo]

"While there is a proper, legal classification for a working dog, we know they are living things, and we have great respect and admiration for them," said Lackland Air Force Base spokesman Gerry Proctor. The dogs are trained at Lackland. "A handler would never speak of their dog as a piece of equipment. The dog is their partner. You can walk away from a damaged tank, but not your dog. Never."

"It is essentially the same as a government surplus sale," Proctor said. "If the government has a surplus sale in Ramstein, Germany, and sells you a truck, then should the American taxpayer be on the hook to get that truck back to your house in Atlanta? The government doesn't own it once you buy it."

...Oh wait- I thought they would "never" speak of the dog as a piece of equipment. Opps. Typical.