let's not jump to the conclusion that the military doesn't do what they can to place retired dogs into appropriate homes. (despite past history).

it seems to me that any John Q. Public *should* be able to 1) check w/military to find their criteria for homes to place these dogs into, and 2) find out (as a possible adopter) just what criteria are considered when placing these dogs. two slightly different but both important things to find out before condemning the military for the disposal of their war dogs. these ARE WAR DOGS.

i cannot condone their strategy in viet nam in the '70's--AT ALL. but let us not assume that's what they do now; they have lots of $$$ tied up in these dogs (OUR $$, BTW), it's in their (and OUR) best interest to use these assets to their maximum potential. and these guys are saving a LOT of lives (my son, your brother, husband, dad, sister, daughter, mom) every day on duty.

consider: coming out of a combat zone, after perhaps (probably, if lucky), years, of high-pressure work. how many civilians are prepared to take this dog into civilian life? and who can afford the liability insurance?

so please, don't condemn our military until you find out what's REALLY going on...

i dont know how many are put down but i agree with ann on this. I know the military does do what they can to place these dogs. some of them can't be changed though. some of these dogs are to friends to nobody and i know a few handlers that have been bit by there own dog. these dogs are so...dominate that they take charge and you can not break these dogs. now others are very sweet and work great. these are ones that get adopted out. i would rather see a dog that cant be "safe" put down rather then adopted out and bite a child then the dog be beat for it and lord only knows what else. as far as puttting in a retirement kennel for these dogs, yeah it sounds great in words and i would love to see these happen. however the majority of america is b****ing about how much the military spends already. do you think it would really fly. i mean it sounds horrible but do you know that, for example, i am an E-5 with a wife and 2 boys and i still qualify for WIC and welfare. granit i dont use it but that just shows how underpaid the military is and when we do try to get a raise the public flips out and says we are over paid already. now to build a retirement kennel for past working dogs, there is no way it would fly. like i said i would love to see it happen but it would never happen.

You should be able to get the exact numbers of dogs re-homed and the ones killed plus the reason why from your congressional representative. Under the requirements of the law referenced earlier (public law 106-446), the military must file an annual report with Congress containing that information. You should probably reference that law number to help them find the proper report. If that fails, file a Freedom of Information Act request on it.

This being an election year, your congress-critter should jump on this bit of constituent service like a duck on a June bug.

Jason,
A agree it wouldn't fly, and as much as I love dogs, I am much more concerned with providing the best possible medical care for our soldiers and vets. There are a lot of men coming home from Iraq with very grave injuries, and they need expensive and ongoing rehabilitation.