Ethics of using canines in war

[S&WForty]

I know I'm going slightly off topic but Re: human life > animal life, I know some humans if I had to choose between them or MY dog, it would be my dog that survives. I am afraid in the heat of the moment I would "do the right thing" and save the human and not my dog, but sitting here thinking in stress-free comfort, it's my dog hands down.

You might assume the human I would let perish is a thug/criminal/etc, but I am strictly thinking of presumed nice strangers vs people I know personally. I'd sacrifice my dog for an unknown stranger, but in my mind I have a hard time sacrificing it for certain relatives I have no respect for.

 

[WC145]

Had to leave my partner in country as well, Heineken V001. Air Force policy at the time.

I was an SP in the early '80s, not a dog handler though. Regardless, I never heard of that policy until reading these posts. What a load of ****. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you guys.

 

[dougb1946]

The dogs were equipment. Equipment got left. From the films, it was hard enough getting the people out.

 

[finesse_r]

The dogs used for police and or military activities are well trained, extremely well cared for, and are doing something they love. Active dogs like German Shepherds will be bonded closely to their handlers and have in general a much happier life than most other dogs.

A busy working dog is a happy dog. A bored, dog that is often left alone for hours at a time is not so happy.

The fact that many of these dogs also take risks, is something of concern, but I expect most such dogs are much better off and much happier in their existence than are most household pets.

No doubt most handlers are dog lovers, that take as much care of their dogs as possible. Still if it is a case of risking a man or risking a dog, I vote to risk a dog.

As far as most volunteers they rarely appreciate the terrible realities of war when they volunteer.

 

[wsr]

I see no problem with the ethics of it...dogs are not people

 

[rwsmith]

I don't think that......

I don't think that dogs are sent into dangerous situations because they are worth less than humans. A dog can quickly go where people can't, they have a low profile,they are fast, they can offer a distraction, surprise or can immobilize the enemy and all kinds of good stuff. The dog is sent because he's the best one for the job.

 

[Dennis The B]

Just as long as the dog is not the primary weapon. I don't hold with sending dogs in to kill; sniff out people, explosives, etc., is fine.

I remember reading somewhere, that the late Jeff Cooper wrote, "Only a coward sends a dog to do his fighting for him."

 

[Karnivore]

If only we could convey to the dogs of war that they are on the BBQ menu of many of the members of the enemy forces.

 

[BigBoy99]

What about the anti-tank dog mine?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-tank_dog

 

[mtgianni]

We left those awesome dogs behind those ,,,,,probably ate them.
Now we bring them home as police dogs.

A great book on the subject is Suspect by Robert Crais.
A friend trains dogs, A working service dog gets five tours. After duty it is offered free to the last handler, if he cannot take it the dog goes to each previous handler or if none can take it to the original trainer that sent the dog to the service. To date, no dog has ever been returned to the trainer.

 

[Old TexMex]

Why don't cats get drafted, what I wanna know....

Didi maow

 

[model70hunter]

Dogs, had a few great ones. Loved them. A couple would insert themselves in between my family and perceived danger. Thats what they do, we use this aspect to assist us.

If I had a scout/police K9 and had the choice to keep it, it would come with me.

One former world leader, Charlemaigne perhaps said the more I know of man the more I appreciate my dogs. So is the beast less valuable?

Life long friend is a smaller fellow, short and thin, exhibits no fear.

We were discussing his 1st days in Vietnam, squad did not have a dog. They came to a spider trap entrance to some tunnels. They made sure he had his 1911, grabbed him by both ankles and dropped him head first into the tunnel. He said they did not ask, he was the new guy and in he went. I said scared? He said full manureless. Survived. Got to like it. I've seen his pics. Some of you might lend and ear and remember what the necklace was. His was really full.

Tough as he was he said a dog would have been nice.

P.S. Those guys were called tunnel rats. A few here might have traversed the maze.

 

[rusty37874]

RIP Hector X459

14 May 1969

Scout Dog- 1/35th, 4th Infantry Division

You gave your life trying to protect us -- You are remembered

Thanks for all the PM's and inquiries. I was not the handler, his name was David Schachner, and he was KIA with Hector. David and Hector were with the 40th Scout Dog group, but operated with my squad in the 4th ID. I think of both of them often.

 

[Lt JL]

A few months ago, I posted the story of Toledo Police K9 Falko, who died of a gunshot diving into a crawl space after a double homicide suspect. You could argue that Falko died doing what he loved, or that he died to save his handler, or that he was cruelly and callously sacrificed to affect an arrest that maybe could have been done differetly. Nevertheless, I have watched at least a dozen cop dogs work over the years, and I personally believe that when Falko took that hit, he was happy he was doing his job. And who knows what kind of comprehension dogs may have of death and dying?

 

[rwsmith]

Is there a K9 memorial??

Is there a canine memorial on the mall or at Arlington or anywhere significant?

If you google 'k9 memorials' there are a lot of nice statues and placards, but I don't know where they all are.

 

[SatCong]

He's not asking who's life is worth more. He's asking how do handlers take the loss of their k9 partner

They take it very hard.