Dogs and War

[Lazy Lob]

I hope this is not RMM and that it’s in the right section. The other night on Beeb 2 I watched a documentary called “A company of soldiers”. I didn’t want to post this as I am very proud of our western culture and our forces. It was a documentary following Dog Co. in Baghdad, and this is the IRONIC part……”dog”. There was a scene that ripped my guts. It may have epitomized our lack of forethought and heavy handedness.

It showed one of the squad shooting a dog just because he felt like it. The rest of the squad was sickened by the shooting.

The dog’s owner came out of his house and hunched his shoulders whilst showing his palms asking “why?”. He could not understand it. The squad didn’t do anything. It was sad, very sad.

The poor mut was bleeding, squealing and dieing whilst this poor guy and the squad looked on, powerless. It was a pathetic scene. Please do not misinterpret the word “pathetic”.

I know its war but I hope the whole scene has not ……………… I don't want to offend.

[Elemental666]

Every army in the world has it's own bunch of idiots.
U.S.A,U.K,Israel..that doesnt change the fact that 99.99% of the other troops are the best of what our countries can offer.

[Lazy Lob]

I know but it was the scene. I am not looking to blame anyone.

[superbuzzmetal]

Animals and young children are one of the worst victims of war, they dont know what the hell is happening and they can't do anything about it.They are just helpless...

[Moddy]

As a dog lover the scene you've described has sickened me and upset me.

I do remember reading about a squaddie who found a puppy in Basra, After trying to get people to claim it I think he took it back home where (at the time) his parents where looking after it. Would be nice if someone could find this story.

What you have to remember, while it maybe a minority that are causing problems, its this minority that the people will notice. The more this minority is noticed the more bitterness that will develop.

[ZaakM433]

If it was truly like that the guy should have been discharged, or given a desk job in the arctic. The very least in the craphouse with his squadmates - and thats not where you want to be in combat.

[cosimo]

Are soldiers able to place other soldiers under some type of arrest? If so I would have done that and followed whatever procedure is in place. Its a dangerous individual that does things like that and he should be removed from service and made to compensate the owner of the dog. If its the militaries way to let things like this go then I would wait until off duty and beat him severely.

I'm a dog lover and spend a lot of my time helping out at a local rescue. We see some terrible cases but very little in the way of punishment for those who have abused the dogs. I feel the penalties should be as severe as would be handed out if the same act was inflicted on a human.

I know how upsetting this is, it stays on your mind for a long time. Do bear in mind how often soldiers actually rescue dogs. I'm sure this is pretty rare.

[Firetxmi]

This reminds me of what my friend (a former MP) told me. I asked him why there was a need for MP's in the Army (I was a lot younger), I was under the impression that all these men and women were disciplined and professional. He looked at me and said, "Yeah, but don't think for a minute that the recruiter isn't going to recruit that gang banger, or dumba** off the street." Its sad but true, a lot of times people slip through the cracks, or lie on their paperwork and make it in. Just like in any larger population, you have criminals.

This is still sad and sickening, I've seen similar videos floating around the net.

[Canuck Farrier]

that is sad about the dog,especially for no reason.We usually dont honour animals in war but we should.Horses use to be killed on the battlefield in large numbers and in many cases were as important for victory as the men who rode them.Back on topic I like dogs.RIP

[2Sheds_Jackson]

I'm sure you won his heart and mind with that bit of freedom and democrazy.

I don't know about douches, only that dozens of people are killed daily in the new, stable Iraq.

What's your point - is anybody here defending the guy's action, or saying it was a good idea, or stating that it will help the situation? Or are you just taking an opportunity to bravely and cleverly state the painfully obvious?

[Lazy Lob]

Click here for info on that documentary (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/company/view/)

Not Brits, but that's besides the point.

[MoFo]

I have seen the video a while ago, I was absolutely horrified and it left me speechless...

[Lazy Lob]

@ bluffcove......Video 5. "Going on the Offensive". 10 minutes 30 seconds in.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

War is generally unpleasant. One minute you're rewarded for shooting a man in the face, the next, you're punished for shooting a dog. But there are rules to be followed, and we do have a means to punish people who break them. Brutality is hard to watch, whether or not it's following the rules.

[James]

Wow!

Videos of people getting killed are popular, but a dog getting shot gets panties in a knot?

Sure, it's sad, but IT'S A DOG. Priorities...

[Lazy Lob]

Wow!

Videos of people getting killed are popular, but a dog getting shot gets panties in a knot?

Sure, it's sad, but IT'S A DOG. Priorities...


Not quite. Look at the video again without jumping to conclusions and have a look at the Iraqi’s face, pure helpless incomprehension all because of a callous act. How many times has this been repeated? Don’t judge my panties coz it may be you with the skid mark.

Edit: I never find videos of death "popular".

[kerfuffled]

I have seen that vid too and it made me sick also. It was only a dog but there was absolutely no reason to shoot the dog and the dude who did it should have had his ass filled for discharging his weapon for no good reason. It's about discipline and that guy was also an officer, so what does that tell you? All he did was perpetuate a stereotype that Americans are trigger happy cowboys. Way to go ****nuts, you just gave that local a reason to hate the coalition. I know how I would feel if someone blew away my dog for no reason...:bash:

[James]

As I said in my original post...


Sure, it's sad, but IT'S A DOG.

I guess I don't know what you're taking issue with in my post. I agreed with you that it is sad.

[Lazy Lob]

As I said in my original post...



I guess I don't know what you're taking issue with in my post. I agreed with you that it is sad.


It's the taking of life for absolutely no reason whatsoever, regardless of the life. In this situation it not only shows total disregard for it but also for the population at large. That cannot be classified as war, it was not a mistake, it was not combat. Just by looking at the expressions of the rest of the squad is enough. It was unfortunate for him that it was captured on video and that it was “only a dog”.

All I can say ...it is sad.

[cosimo]

Wow!

Videos of people getting killed are popular, but a dog getting shot gets panties in a knot?

Sure, it's sad, but IT'S A DOG. Priorities...

Yes its a dog and that is the point. Animals cannot be cruel to each other. We often see or hear of people being killed in times of war, as observers we don't know why they have been shot or what if anything they have done to deserve it. People have the capacity to carry out or support all manner of cruelty. You can be 100% certain a dog will never be cruel to anyone. Dogs have a strong relationship with man and show unwavering loyalty and courage in defending them. That is why this is so upsetting.

As for priorities, I'd choose my dogs life and well being over someone I don't know. People who look dumbfounded and say "its just a dog" have obviously never spent much time with one. I regard people who don't like dogs or other animals with suspicion. Its also well known that people who are cruel to animals will also be cruel to people. There is something very rotten at the core of someone who can harm a dog for their own pleasure.

[Bia]

I remember watching that....I am a big fan on PBS Frontline.

Also...I knew a kid...he'd be 21 now.....was a great person....good American....would help anyone out....he was also the type that would shoot a dog for the sake of shooting a dog in a situation like that.
Hard to explain......but yeah....some people are simply like that.

[praetorian6]

It may just be a dog, but people get as attached to dogs as they do to people. I have had dogs that I like more than most people I know. There are K9 cops that have said their best partner has been their dog.

Some things to consider:

1. This is just another reason for the local Iraqis to hate Americans troops
2. People who start out killing/torturing animals often end up doing it to people
3. Dogs are loyal and trustworthy, whereas most people are not
4. Any "officer" who would shoot a guy's dog for no reason should be shown the door for conduct unbecoming.


Hard to explain......but yeah....some people are simply like that.
It is often these people who end up killing 80 year old women with their own pantyhose. Everyone always says, "Wow, he seemed like a really great guy."

[James]

It's the taking of life for absolutely no reason whatsoever, regardless of the life. In this situation it not only shows total disregard for it but also for the population at large. That cannot be classified as war, it was not a mistake, it was not combat. Just by looking at the expressions of the rest of the squad is enough. It was unfortunate for him that it was captured on video and that it was “only a dog”.

All I can say ...it is sad.

It is sad, I agree.

[Jenius]

I really hate to tell you guys, but what happened to that dog is nothing.

How about a dog being thrown into a trash compressor?
I really hope there is a god, so those scumbags are punished.

There are MUCH WORSE things that humankind has done to animals.

If you want to stay ignorant about what really happens to animals, I don't blame you. If you want to know the truth, watch this free video called Earthlings. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3251419433163515470&pl=true

You WILL be changed for life, I know I am...