In a Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (OIG) report released this week, four military dogs have been reported to have died between the years of 2021 and 2023 because of poor living conditions while on duty at United States military bases.
The U.S. military has has about 1,600 working dogs in all four services with some dogs on duty at nearly every base.
The report investigated the deaths linked to 10 substandard facilities – many kennel areas more than 40 years of age which failed to protect the dogs from extreme weather conditions, mold and poor sanitation. Of the 12 facilities inspected, the central training hub, the Air Force’s 341st Training squadron, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, was pointed out to have military dogs living in the worst conditions. Here the dogs suffered from the largest rate of infections and heat injuries due to the substandard and filthy living conditions. Over the three-year span, 22 dogs sustained heat injuries while living outside.
During the extensive investigations, dogs were noted to have had severe stress behaviors often observed as spinning, jumping and chewing on metal water bowls. Many of the dogs received no exercise or just minimal out of their kennels time as opposed to the required five hours daily allegedly due to staffing shortages.
Since then the Air Force has been directed to reduce the number of dogs until the DoD standards for their care can be met.
n response, the Air Force is updating kennel designs, revising veterinary inspection checklists and establishing a new working dog council to review standards and welfare policies.
Since the reports have been made public, requests for $170 million for structural improvements and more humane care for the dogs have been submitted. No doubt these very important canine partners have been cast aside as to their importance.
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