Remember the sacrifices of war dogs

#MemorialDay #WarDogs

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: This Memorial Day, I hope you can call attention to the sacrifices made by war dogs, who have served side by side with American troops for over 100 years, taking on missions that their human counterparts could never do so well. Many gave their lives protecting others. – Charles B., via email

DEAR CHARLES: Absolutely. Military working dogs, often called “war dogs,” are an essential part of America’s armed forces. They provide security around the world and are trained for specialized missions like drugs and explosives detection, sentry duty, scouting, and search and rescue. Military working dogs are even part of special forces units. Over the past century, war dogs have played essential roles.

In the past, German Shepherds were the primary breed used as military working dogs. Recently, the armed services have shifted to slightly smaller breeds. The Belgian Malinois is the preferred breed for military working dogs today.

Sadly, during the Vietnam War, thousands of military working dogs overseas were euthanized or abandoned when their service was done. In 2000, President Clinton signed a law that allowed war dogs to be adopted once their service was over.

More than 400 military working dogs have been killed in action since World War II. It’s estimated that they have saved over 10,000 lives. Today, a War Dog memorial stands in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, to call attention to these selfless heroes, as well as a War Dog statue outside the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

As we remember the sacrifices of American troops this Memorial Day, I hope you’ll all take a moment to remember the loyal, highly trained working dogs who gave their all to keep their comrades in arms safe from harm.

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