The Cost of Freedom for Dogs in Afghanistan

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-01-28 08:00:00 UTC
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More troops in Afghanistan means more military dogs being sent overseas, and all those German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador soldiers need food. Not just any food -- special diets high in protein and nutrients to keep up with the demands of their job.

Although the dogs have become important members of their teams -- in just the last month in southern Afghanistan, they sniffed out 20 finds of unexploded devices, weapon caches and other materiel -- feeding them is low priority for the logistics planners shipping out supplies.

The U.S. has more military dogs -- about 2,800 -- than any other country in the world. Considering that each dog costs around $40,000 per year and that they're only sent out on missions when they've healthy, you'd think their needs would be high priority. But their food gets loaded on the trucks with about the same urgency as Coke and potato chips for the human soldiers.

Afghanis also have dogs of war: Dog fighting has seen a resurgence in Afghanistan in recent years, and it's an issue many are hesitant to take on. Unlike in Western countries, dog fighting is well above ground, with fights taking place out in the open and employing Afghanistan police for crowd control.

Former British Marine Sergeant Farthing, who now runs the charity Nowzad Dogs as a civilian, says the country isn't ready to accept an anti-dog fighting campaign, that it would be seen as imposing our culture (despite the bloodsport's continuing presence in the U.K. and the U.S.). “I have to admit, sad as it is, that I can achieve more for animal welfare in Afghanistan with the tribal leaders on my side than if I focus on banning dog fighting. One day, but not yet.” (These animal welfare issues include animal control strategies like leaving out poisoned meat for stray animals at night, and the common practice of docking tails and cropping ears with scissors or wire on fighters and pets alike.)

Western culture isn't the only enemy of dog fighting in Afghanistan. Under the Taliban, it had been banned as an un-Islamic activity, carrying the death penalty for anyone caught organizing fights. In a post-Taliban era, dog fighting is seen as a way to reclaim an ancient custom that had been suppressed by extremism.

It's unfortunate that this statement of freedom for the people of Afghanistan has such a high cost for the country's dogs.

Photo credit:Lisa

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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