Immigration for military pets?
How would you feel if you were serving your country, adopted a pet, then had to leave that animal behind?
That’s exactly what happened to Army Spc. Gwen Beberg, (above) who helped save an Iraqi puppy from a pile of burning trash in May. Beberg adopted the dog and named him Ratchet. When her deployment ended, Ratchet wasn’t able to come to the United States with her.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International stepped in to bring the dog to its owner. Operation Baghdad Pups says its first attempt to pick up Ratchet was stopped by a U.S. commander, prompting thousands of people to sign a petition to return him to Beberg.
The military responded by saying that it did not order the dog to stay put. Officially, the Defense Department does not allow personnel who are deployed to care for or take home animals they find in the countries in which they serve, but it seems like another case of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
The military eventually gave its permission, but only 30 minutes before Baghdad Pups’ flight took off. That didn’t allow enough time for Ratchet to make the flight, but the lucky dog could be on a plane to the United States as soon as Sunday.
Considering soldiers are far from the comforts of home, should the military allow them to adopt animals in the countries where they serve? If so, should those animals get to come to the United States when the soldiers have completed their tours of duty?
Photo: AP
Since we’re approaching Halloween, vote for these cute creatures in their costumes. Check out the photos you’ve sent. If you haven’t done so, dress up your pet and upload the photos today.
Absolutely, soldiers should be able to bring dogs they adopt in Iraq home. If you have a dog can you imagine having to leave it in Iraq of all places because of some red tape bureaucratic B.S.? Regardless of how you feel about the war, those soldiers have given up everything to go over there. If rescuing an animal provides comfort and keeps them sane in Iraq, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to take care of the animal and eventually bring it home. It’s the least that can be done to thank these people for their service.
If the animals were not allowed to come home, they would either be abandoned or destroyed, both of which are cruel and unnecessary punishments for an innocent animal. The military doesn’t have a very good track record with the humane treatment of animals (ex. - shooting live pigs to train army medics, the navy vs. whales), so you have to stand up and tell them how you feel about this. I signed the Clemency for Ratchet petition and donated to Operation Baghdad Pups, which is the organization that pays to bring the dogs home.
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I feel for the soldier and her dog, I am a dog lover but I have a wife that can’t come into this country due to our bureaucratic immigration laws so until we deal with family reunification then leave the dog in Iraq!!!
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Why not? It’s harmless enough, assuming these animals are being quarrentined and examined by veterinarians before being released into the general population. I’m not sure who’s paying for the transport of these animals - I’m guessing the soldiers are paying for it themselves. I think it’s nice that this sort of humanity still exists in this world.
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Here at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait the anti-pet provisions of CENTCOM’s General Order One-Bravo are strictly kept. As such, SPC Beberg would not have been allowed to keep Ratchet as long as she had; the command may have forgiven her rescue of the dog, but the dog would then have likely been turned over to Kuwaiti authorities for disposition. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” indeed! Were the command as liberal here as they were in SPC Beberg’s post, I’d share my limited space with a couple of the cats that wander Camp Arifjan….
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In response to Scott D.’s description of army regs and their enforcement at Camp Arifijan: This is not addressed to Scott, but to the Army. Does the Army seriously think that the world and the country would be better if a soldier walked by a puppy about to be burned up in a pile of trash–and left it to burn? Dehumanizing soldiers causes tremendous mental and emotional stress and leads to problems for themselves and for others. The Army can’t seem to master not electrocuting our sons and daughters in their showers but it makes darn good and sure that they aren’t allowed to experience a little kindness and warmth? The Army needs to be whipped into shape!
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There is something very suspect about this dog being singled out or this soldier being singled out. Who was the commander that ordered the dog off the convoy and what was his/her connection to Beberg?
Soldiers will alway adopt helpless animals and kids in times of war. What is different here is that in a Moslem country it is impossible to find the pets a good home when it is time to leave.
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OK, I realize the circumstances aren’t exactly the same, BUT, my son and his wife recently returned from a three year tour of duty in Japan. The Navy flew their 90 lb., rescued, (in Japan) Akita home after they obtained proof of the proper vaccinations. Why should the Army treat their troops (and their rescued pets)in combat zones less compassionately?
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Earlier this week, I read a prior article about this young soldier and her dog. I can’t remember the exact site and can’t quote the source. However, the article made comment that the majority of the population in Iraq view animals in a negative light. Dogs and cats are thought of as disease carriers.If this being the case and most animals are homeless or unwanted, then what’s the problem? Bring the dog home.
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With the animal population out of control in this country, sure, bring home one from another country. Hell, send them all here. We have plenty of places to put them.
It’s like sending money to help kids in Africa. They need help our kids here first. Take care of your own, then go fight the world’s battles.
How insane…
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Subj.
Anybody have?
I’ts better, if you have XRumer 5.04…
Gimme url
See you later!
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Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful .. Amazing ?
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