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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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6

UK Military Seeks Canine Recruits

Vets told to find dogs for service

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(Newser) – Short on canine recruits, Britain’s military has launched an effort to recharge the ranks, the Guardian reports. “Your country needs your dog,” the Ministry of Defence campaign proclaims, seeking German or Belgian shepherds, English springers, and Labradors in particular. The military typically gets dogs from shelters and private homes, but has found those means insufficient in recent years.

The dogs “will find themselves fulfilling a vital role within the MoD and some will undoubtedly save human lives,” an officer wrote in a veterinary magazine, encouraging animal doctors to consider military service for pets “that do not conform to or enjoy a typical family life environment.”

The British military says it needs more canines for military service.
The British military says it needs more canines for military service.   (AP Photo)
Guard and attack dogs are usually recruited from shelters and private homes in the UK.
Guard and attack dogs are usually recruited from shelters and private homes in the UK.   (AP Photo)
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Some will undoubtedly save human lives.
- Victoria Tannahill, a veterinary officer for the Defence Animal Centre

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6 comments
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Deebles
Jun 10, 09 5:10 PM CDT
Don't ask me how I know this: it's one of those weird blobs that has taken over my younger, functioning brain. But in Vietnam, the dogs were considered equipment and the thousands that we sent there, we never brought back. It was so demoralizing to the men that policy changed and now dogs and trainer fly together and fly back. A nice example that even the military is open to change. Reply
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kokuaguy
Jun 10, 09 6:00 PM CDT
And of course 60,000 young troops never came back. Reply
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Doctor_Zaius
Jun 10, 09 6:01 PM CDT
Just don't recruit any gay dogs. We couldn't have that now could we. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Deebles
Jun 10, 09 6:18 PM CDT
Well the gay dogs are used to being muzzled. And very sorry that my focus on dogs ignored the loss of our soldiers. That was callous and not my intent.
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IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Jun 10, 09 7:12 PM CDT
I can't believe that you have a callous cell in your body, deebles. As I recall there's very little personal information in your profile. I guess I'll have to divine what I can when I google your username. When are you going to get an avatar?
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