Just saw a piece on the tv show DOGS WITH JOBS on the national geographic channel, about scout dogs in Vietnam. After 15 minutes of talking about how the dogs saved thousands of lives by navigating through booby traps and signaling when scenting a potential enemy, the piece concludes by saying that the Army euthanized the dogs at the conclusion of the war.

Does anyone know why on earth this would be done? Just to clarify, the piece made it seem as if this was consistent policy regardless of the dogs level of effectiveness, health of the dog etc. I am disgusted and perplexed. Is there any rationale for not returning these dogs to the States? Also, does anyone know if this is STILL standard procedure?

Thanks in advance.
Brock

That was the practice during that time period. The vast majority of dogs that served in the Southeast Asia Theater, Thailand and Viet Nam were destroyed rather than returned to the state. While the government gave several lame excuses, there just was no rhyme or reason. Check out the website for the Viet Nam Dog Handlers Association. It tells the story of these valient animals and past dog handlers outrage.

DFrost

Brock,
This is not procedure any longer as they now consider the dogs actual soldiers like with Law Enforcement they consider the dogs officers. They are now taking more precaution to keep the dogs safe (ie protective vests and such). My nephwew was in Iraq when this whole war started and he was telling me that they take excellent care of the dogs and if any little thing does not seem right they are taken immediately to the vet and treated. He said that some of them were shipped home due to the inability to cope with the heat. He said he was almost jealous that the dogs got better care than the soldiers did....he meant this in a kidding way as he says that is how it is at home with his mom and her dog.
I am not sure about military but I think as with Law Enforcement, the dogs get to remain with thier handlers after they are through with thier "tour of duty" but I may be mistaken on this.
There was just a show on Animal Planet called K9 Boot Camp that was a documentary on military dogs at Lackland AFB that was pretty good. I think it has been on before since they said that Lackland allowed them in to do the piece in 2001. It was a two hour show and if you look it is on a few more times throughout the week.
It was about the initial process of becoming a military K9 handler.

If you are interested in this topic, there is an interesting and disturbing book on the subject. It's "War Dogs" by Michael G. Lemish (1996), the section regarding the treatment of the dogs in Vietnam is truly shameful.

Does anyone know WHY the dogs were killed? The logistics of transporting the dogs statesides after the war seems stunningly simple, and if the man featured on the show was any indication, the dog's handlers/partners were incredibly bonded (of course, who wouldnt be after fido saved your life!!!) to the K9's.

Thank you for posting the links, I have yet to chase them down, and perhaps my questions will be addressed there.

Very glad to hear standard procedure has been changed.

After reading about it, my impression is that there were two major reasons the dogs were not returned home. First, the military leadership viewed the dogs as surplus equipment and not living beings. For them, it was cost-effective and practical. Second, the myth it was not safe to return them. There was concern about them carrying infectious diseases and having temperments that could not be demilitarized. If they had quarantined dogs upon return, the diseases could be dealt with. Regarding the temperment, after WWII thousands of dogs were returned to civilian life and "only a handful" were destroyed due to temperment.

Also, I don't know how many dogs were actually euthanized in Vietnam. The book ("War Dogs") said mass euthanasia was considered but the army was concerned about it being leaked to the public.
We did turn our dogs over to the ARVN beginning in 1969. Then, when South Vietnam fell they were abandoned to an unknown (perhaps horrible) fate in war torn exile.

I really don’t know the story back then but i am 100% sure that this does not happen today. The way it works now is a dog is assigned to a certain base i.e. Lackland, dyess, yokota. these dogs will always stay at their home base, unlike the handler. the handler may move every 2-4 years. when this happens the handler and dog is separated and both given a new partner. when is comes time to go to iraq, a handler and his/her dog are both tasked and the go do their time. after they are done with their 6mo, the both return to their home station. Once a dog is no longer able to work it is give a temperament test and if it passes the military will then adopt the dog out to the public. if they determine that the dog would be a liability, the dog will be put to sleep. i hope this clears things up for you on how things are done today.

Playing Devils Advocate here but.....

Do they put old sodiers to sleep once they are no longer able to work and have dodgy temperaments?

You'd think with the resources the army have it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to provide an ex-army working dog shelter or two? Just how many dogs are we talking about per year?

I understand that you can't just give these kind of dogs to just anyone but they could put a bit more work into finding an appropriate home even if the dog is a bit on the sharp side no?

John

Does anyone know if they do anything to demilitarize the dogs before they are temperment tested? I think they need a better retirement plan.