Thread: At last (some) military dogs get to retire instead of being euthanised.

I had no idea this was happening. I guess it is a good change! I can understand though that the public has to be looked after but it seems a shame that a dog, trained to be a deterrent and essentially attack people would then get put down because it does exactly what it was trained to do!

It always used to be that all any animals used overseas were put down before returning to Australia,but I believe that since East Timor that some dogs have returned,it is all to do with Australia's quarantine regulations,and the diseases that those could be carrying,rabies is one that comes to mind,we exported a BorderCollie to NZ and it had to be vaccinated for a horse disease that is in Aust.but not in NZ.

I believed the no return policy changed during our participation in Afghanistan. A number of Australian EOD dogs were handed over to US servicemen to be expatriated to the US instead of being euthanised in Afghanistan.

In WW1 it was one of the saddest moments for the Australian Waler horses, they were supposed to be handed over to the Egyptians and some to the Indian forces. However many Diggers, having seen the way the animals were treated in the middle east would rather put down their own horses.

I'am well aware of that,as my Grandfather was 5th.Lighthorse and was in Palestine and Egypt before being shipped to Belgium he took his horse with him,but those returning home shot theirs so the Egyptians did not get them.

He did eventually lose his horse to shrapnel while riding it,his horse and one of the Arnott brothers were killed at the same time in Flanders during a bout of shelling.
He used to have a card every year at Xmas from that esteemed family up until his death in 1967.


It was him that got me interested in all things military,as he was very involved in the RSL in S.E.Qld district and on ANZAC day was Marshall of the Cenotaph from 1948 until 67.

Originally Posted by UncleHo

It always used to be that all any animals used overseas were put down before returning to Australia,but I believe that since East Timor that some dogs have returned,it is all to do with Australia's quarantine regulations,and the diseases that those could be carrying,rabies is one that comes to mind,we exported a BorderCollie to NZ and it had to be vaccinated for a horse disease that is in Aust.but not in NZ.

Understand that however very sad indeed considering the animals where serving Australia too.

Some clarification.
EOD is Explasive Ordnance Disposal.
The dogs are EDD, Explosive Detection Dogs.

The dogs go through quarantine and come home. When they retire the dog handler gets first pick, then other handlers, then families.

I think the reason the RAAFie dogs got the green dream is they are guard/attack dogs.

Regards
Will.

Thanks Will and sorry for not being aware of the correct title (even though I have walked through the EDD memorial and the exibit at the SME).

I was wondering what risk an ex-EDD would be looking for ordnance and IED's in the back yard?

Might not be a risk thing perphaps its a metal welfare issue...

A lot of dogs that do detection are high drive dogs, so sitting in a back yard with no mental stimulation can turn a dog nuts!!!!

Much like the beloved Australian working dog in the suburban back yard but two fold!!

The dogs simply need a lot of work and attention to keep them occupied.

I'm not saying this is the case for all, but a possibly explanation behind why.