The Lingering Legacy: American Service Dogs In Afghanistan

In August 2021, the American government ended its 20-year-long military presence in Afghanistan. While the US military did evacuate some dogs that worked with them, there were reports that several contract working dogs were left behind in Kabul. This sparked outrage among animal rights groups and activists, who claimed that these dogs were now at risk of torture and death. The Pentagon, however, denied these reports, stating that the US military did not leave any dogs behind and that the animals in question were under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue.

Animal rights groups' response to service dogs left behind

Animal rights groups were quick to respond to reports that service dogs had been left behind in Afghanistan by the US military. The animal welfare group American Humane released a statement saying:

> I am devastated by reports that the American government is pulling out of Kabul and leaving behind brave U.S. military contract working dogs to be tortured and killed at the hand of our enemies. These brave dogs do the same dangerous, lifesaving work as our military working dogs, and deserved a far better fate than the one to which they have been condemned.

American Humane's president and CEO, Robin Ganzert, added that the group stands ready to bring the dogs home and provide for their lifetime medical care. The group has a long history of working with the military to rescue animals, dating back to WWI.

Ganzert called on Congress to take action, saying:

> We call on Congress to take action to classify contract working dogs on the same level as military working dogs. Failure to do anything less is a failure of humanity and a condemnation of us all.

Other animal rights groups and activists also weighed in on the issue, expressing outrage and calling for the US government to take action. Some even started a hashtag on social media to raise awareness.

However, the Pentagon and the US Department of Defense disputed these claims, saying that no military service dogs or contracted animals were left behind. They stated that the photos circulating online were of animals under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, an animal welfare group, and not dogs under the care of the US military. They maintained that their priority mission was the evacuation of US citizens, vulnerable Afghans, and SIVs, not animals.

The US government's response to accusations

In a statement, a Pentagon spokesperson, Eric Pahon, said, "To correct erroneous reports, the US military did not leave any dogs in cages at Hamid Karzai International Airport, to include the reported 'military working dogs.' Photos circulating online were animals under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, not dogs under the care of the US military." Pahon added that US forces went to great lengths to assist the Kabul Small Animal Rescue as much as possible during the evacuation.

US Army Lt. Col. Karen Roxberry, a spokesperson for the US Central Command, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the military's priority was evacuating citizens and vulnerable Afghans, and that the reports of dogs being left behind were "erroneous."

Despite the US government's denial, the accusations sparked outrage and criticism from various quarters, including animal rights groups, politicians, and the general public. Some condemned the government for allegedly delivering a "death sentence" to the dogs, while others questioned the country's priorities and expressed frustration that military dogs were seemingly given priority over humans in the evacuation process.

The controversy surrounding the evacuation of military dogs from Afghanistan highlights the importance placed on the welfare of these animals, which are considered to have valiantly served the country alongside human troops.

The fate of the dogs left behind

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 sparked outrage among animal lovers and activists, who claimed that the US military had left behind military or contract working dogs. These dogs, they said, faced torture or death at the hands of the Taliban, who were known for mistreating dogs.

The American Humane group, an animal welfare organisation, released a statement condemning the US government and military for leaving behind "brave US military contract working dogs". They called on Congress to classify contract working dogs on the same level as military working dogs, to ensure their safe evacuation and prevent a "failure of humanity".

The Pentagon and US military, however, denied these claims, stating that no dogs that had worked with the military were left behind. They clarified that the photos and reports circulating online were of animals under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, not the US military. They emphasised that their priority was evacuating US citizens, vulnerable Afghans, and that customs regulations also posed a challenge in evacuating animals.

Despite the conflicting reports, non-profit organisations like Veteran Sheepdogs of America and Kabul Small Animal Rescue worked to evacuate canines left in Afghanistan. American Humane also offered to oversee and pay for the shipment of the dogs back to the US.

The controversy highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of animals during military conflicts, with some arguing that dogs who served alongside humans deserved to be evacuated and others questioning why dogs were given priority over humans in evacuation efforts.

The evacuation of other animals from Afghanistan

The evacuation of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 sparked outrage from animal rights groups and activists, who claimed that the U.S. government had left behind military contract working dogs, putting them at risk of torture and death. The American Humane group and its president, Robin Ganzert, condemned the Biden administration for this decision, offering to oversee and pay for the dogs' shipment home. However, the U.S. military refuted these claims, stating that their priority was evacuating citizens and vulnerable Afghans, and that no military working dogs were abandoned.

While the controversy surrounding the evacuation of American service dogs from Afghanistan garnered significant attention, there were also efforts to rescue other animals from the country. One notable example was the case of Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marine who founded the Nowzad animal shelter in Kabul. Farthing campaigned to evacuate his staff, their families, and approximately 200 dogs and cats from Afghanistan, naming the mission "Operation Ark". While Farthing and his animals were eventually cleared for evacuation and supported by the UK armed forces, his staff from the Nowzad charity were left behind, prevented from entering the military-controlled area at Kabul airport despite having UK visas.

The evacuation of Farthing's animals sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing the use of resources and troops for rescuing animals instead of people. Tom Tugendhat, a prominent Tory MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed his contention, stating, "We've just used a lot of troops to get in 200 dogs, meanwhile, my interpreter's family are likely to be killed." Similarly, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace complained that the efforts to evacuate Farthing and his animals had distracted from the focus on evacuating the most vulnerable.

On the other hand, some individuals supported the evacuation of Farthing's animals, arguing that they were also in danger. Farthing himself expressed mixed emotions, feeling sad and depressed about leaving his staff behind but also relieved and happy for the animals' safety.

In addition to Farthing's efforts, there were also other organizations working to evacuate animals from Afghanistan. Kabul Small Animal Rescue, an affiliate of SPCA International, was actively involved in rescuing animals injured or displaced during the war. They launched "Operation Hercules," a crowdfunded effort to evacuate animals from the country. By August 27, 2021, they had rescued at least 130 animals, including 46 working dogs and several personal pets belonging to fleeing Americans.

Public opinion on the evacuation of service dogs

Criticism of the US Government

In the final days of America's longest war, conservative activists, politicians, and animal lovers raised concerns that the US was not evacuating its service dogs. Viral images circulated on social media, showing dogs in crates at Hamid Karzai International Airport, with captions claiming that they were US military dogs left behind. These images sparked outrage, with people questioning why dogs were being evacuated while humans remained stranded. Some specifically highlighted the tragic irony of dogs having seats on planes while desperate Afghans clung to the outside of the planes, falling to their deaths.

Donald Trump Jr., Republican politicians Madison Cawthorn and Rick Scott, and animal welfare groups such as American Humane were among those who criticised the US government for abandoning service dogs. They argued that these dogs, including those contracted by the military, played a crucial role in keeping troops safe and deserved to be evacuated.

Defence of the US Government

The Pentagon, the Department of Defense, and spokespeople for the US military disputed the claims that military service dogs were left behind. They clarified that the viral images were of animals under the care of Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR), an animal welfare group, and not US military dogs. They emphasised that their priority was evacuating US citizens, vulnerable Afghans, and Special Immigrant Visa holders.

The Defense Department also cited customs regulations and health factors as obstacles to evacuating stray dogs from Afghanistan. They noted that Afghanistan is among the countries with a high incidence of rabies, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prohibits the import of dogs from these high-risk countries without advance written approval.

While acknowledging the challenges and confusion during the evacuation, the US military maintained that they provided assistance to KSAR as much as possible. They stated that KSAR dogs were not permitted on military evacuation flights due to regulations but were relocated to a relatively safe area within the airport with food and water.

The evacuation of service dogs from Afghanistan sparked a range of emotions and debates. While some criticised the US government for leaving dogs behind, others defended the evacuation efforts, highlighting the complexities and priorities involved. The situation underscores the importance of establishing clear protocols for the evacuation of working animals during military withdrawals.

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