this was not on the site 2 years ago, and knowing what happened to "active" MWDs in vietnam, thought i'd share so folks can get after their representatives....

WRITE to your CONGRESSMEN AND REPRESENTATIVES and ASK THEM TO AMEND HR 5314 to MAKE IT MANDATORY for all adopted OCONUS (OVERSEAS) MWDs to receive transport back to the U.S. via military air. Retired MWDs have no “return to home station” benefits even though for the time of their service we proclaim them as bonafide “military members”. As it now stands, retired OCONUS (OVERSEAS) MWDs must be transported at adoptive owner’s expense as a “pet”! In an August 28, 2009, article, Air Force Major General Mary Kay Hertog clarified why adopters must bear the brunt of transport for adopted dogs returning from overseas. "Once that dog is adopted, it becomes a pet, and therefore loses its MWD status," she explained. "So it would be fraud, waste and abuse for the DOD to transport that pet."


MWD Transport, Reclassification and Recognition Amendment to HR 5314
1. Provide for authorized DoD Transport of retiring MWDs stationed at permanent OCONUS (overseas) bases who are ADOPTION SUITABLE or ALREADY ADOPTED back to CONUS (continental United States) via military transport.



A. If the MWD is ALREADY adopted, the dog will be transported to whatever CONUS base the Mil Air plane lands, whereupon the adopter is responsible for paying the MWD's domestic transport to a Forever Home. Support may be required from that base's MWD Facility to place the dog (still a military asset because he has not been relinquished to his adopter) on a commercial flight to the dog's end destination. An overnight stay at the MWD Facility should be an option.



B. If the MWD is ADOPTION SUITABLE but is NOT adopted, the dog should be integrated into the already existing MWD Adoption Program at the 341st MWD Training Squadron. The chance of finding a suitable adoption situation will be increased by having the MWD transported Stateside. The MWD's Owning OCONUS Unit SHOULD NOT be required to pay for Lackland transport of any as yet unadopted ADOPTION SUITABLE MWD.*



(*Current standard is that if a unit wishes to get a retiring MWD to Lackland AFB, the UNIT MUST PAY FOR THE TRANSPORT. This should not be the case with our RETIRING adoption-suitable MWDs returned to the 341st Training Squadron MWD Adoption Program.)



ACTIVE DUTY/RETIRING MWD RECLASSIFICATION



2. Grant an OFFICIAL reclassification of current active duty MWD from "Equipment" to "MWD Troop/Soldier". This change is necessary in order to undergird the reclassification of a RETIRING MWD from the current "Excess Equipment" to "MWD Veteran" or "Military K9 Veteran".



ACTIVE DUTY MWD RECOGNITION



3. Mandate the creation and establishment of a DoD recognized Commendation and Medal for Meritorious MWD Service for Active Duty MWDs.*



(* For the last five years, the efforts and all official requests of the US War Dog Association have been rebuffed by the Department of Defense with absolute refusal to even consider the creation of any DoD recognized commendation for MWDs. Experts estimate that the average MWD saves 150 soldier lives during his tenure of service. This is a LAUDABLE FEAT which should be recognized in an OFFICIAL CAPACITY.)



Proposed by Military Working Dog Adoptions and US War Dogs


See the actual article at the following link:
Website Designed by Deborah Kandoll © 2008 at Homestead™ Create a Website for Your Business

direct link to the MWD adoption page (this appears bout halfway down): http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/

Wow Ann, I didn't realize these issues existed. Thanks for the enlightening information.

I just don’t quite understand it though, is it a space issue? The military if often flying these planes back with our human Heroes and/or supplies and “equipment”. How expensive can it be to pop a pup on there?

If they’re adoptable, wouldn’t most any passenger be capable of holding a leash and carrying a bit of kibble to see them thru the flight?

I mean absolutely no disrespect and know there’s probably a lot more to these decisions. It just seems that they’d be in a perfect position to transport these “Heroes” to within a close proximity of their final destination.

I’m just not seeing where the extra costs come in, to at least get them back.

I just read a YA book from the library called "Cracker: the best dog in Vietnam" http://www.amazon.com/Cracker-Best-Vietnam-Cynthia-Kadohata/dp/1416906371

From the description of the dog and her training, I wasn't sure that these dogs would be suited for everyday life- and at the very least would require an experienced handler. I think it absolutely depends on the dog and the training, but some MWDs are just too much of a liability. This does not mean they should be euthanized or left overseas, just that adoption by a family is probably out of the question.

On the other hand, I loved the descriptions of Cracker, the author seemed to understand working dog mentality, while not being super emotional. It was a worthwhile read, but so sad at the end. I just can't believe these wonderful dogs were euthanized or given to the S. Vietnamese (who likely ate them) rather than being allowed to go home with their handlers.

I wonder if tropical diseases were also a major issue for not wanting to bring the dogs back due to cost of treatment and high likelihood of death regardless of treatment. I was told many dogs died of tick-borne illnesses when serving in the tropics. So sad, for such great, hard working dogs.

per the above article, as of now, DOD classifies any retiring MWD as a "pet" and "cannot" transport a "pet" on a military flight. if the dog is "adoption suitable" but not adopted yet, the unit it's assigned to has to pay for the transport to lackland. goofy..

bottom line is this: adopted/adoptable MWDs are being "left behind/PTS" due to current legislation--LET'S CHANGE IT!!!

READ what i copied/pasted,go to the link i provided-LEARN! take action!!