While a continuing American military presence in Iraq is uncertain, The HSUS and Humane Society International have called for a new approach to three aspects of the U.S. Department of Defense policies concerning animals in Iraq:
- animal control
- pet keeping by soldiers
- the punishment of cruelty to animals
An "about-face" on pet keeping and animal control, and a clearer prohibition of cruelty to animals in the military codes that govern soldiers' conduct, would be good for the health and the morale of American men and women serving in Iraq. Moreover, the resulting improvement in the situation for animals in Iraq could be part of a lasting positive legacy there.
Animal Control
The HSUS and HSI have long argued that dog-killing initiatives are ineffectual in rabies prevention, and that only intensive vaccination campaigns can curb the outbreak or incidence of rabies. HSI has made the same case in relation to China's 2006 dog culling proposals, pointing to research findings and practical experience supporting its position that the culls simply do not work.
Pet Keeping by Soldiers
General Order 1-A, which prohibits the keeping of pets and mascots along with other conduct that the DOD considers a threat to character, morale and discipline, has also been a principal focus of The HSUS and HSI. Despite the order, in the years since the war began, The HSUS and HSI have frequently been contacted by American soldiers attempting to rescue or bring home animals from the conflict zone.
Since 2005, the obstacles to doing so have greatly expanded, with border closures and military and civil authorities in both Iraq and neighboring nations making it virtually impossible to take animals out of the country.
On this front, HSUS/HSI offered to help, asking the DOD to consider adoption of a program that would permit the shipment of healthy, vaccinated, spayed/neutered and veterinary-certified animals (one per soldier, one time only), on a periodic basis, directly to one central location in the United States. Had this proposal been accepted, The HSUS would have been ready to assist the DOD with the operation of a veterinary depot.
The HSUS contacted the DOD on this and the other animal issues relating to the conflict in Iraq three times in two years. In March and August 2005, HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle contacted then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. (Rumsfeld did not reply on either occasion.)
The Punishment of Cruelty to Animals
In 2007, several videos depicting cruelty to animals on the part of individual soldiers emerged, highlighting a deficiency in the Universal Code of Military Justice, one that The HSUS and HSI have also called to the attention of Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. A Jan. 18, 2007 letter [PDF] sent by Pacelle asked Secretary Gates whether he would support the inclusion of an anti-cruelty clause in the UCMJ, an issue that The HSUS may also pursue as a legislative priority.
Posted Feb. 23, 2007
