Mod 'hero' Dogs To Be Rehomed?

[EDDIE51]

I see The Sun is claiming victory in it's campaign to stop ex MOD guard dogs being put down and rehomed instead.These are 'attack dogs' trained to attack intruders on restricted site such as air bases, they are not safe to be rehomed as they will continue to have the instinct to attack people.
How long before we see a headline such as '' Terror Dog Kills Child'' when one of these dogs attacks a child? Will The Sun accept responsibility?
No matter how carefully you choose the new home a visitor could be attacked or the owner could pass the dog on to someone less suitable.

[Gromit]

Didn't know the Sun had such a campaign.

Wasn't a couple of dogs at Prince William's base on Anglesey put down the other day? How can the claim victory so soon after that?

There are plenty of Guard Dogs already working other than at MOD. They are not necessarily dangerous, and nearly all dangerous dog incidents are the result of bad owners and certain breeds. Ex-MOD dogs rehoused with properly vetted owners should be fine and not a danger.

[Ratty2E]

I haven't seen this story but I imagine these dogs have been trained to attack on command not just randomly attack anyone who goes near. If they are to be rehomed then the new owners have to be experienced and responsible dog owners and the dogs would go through retraining. If done properly then it's a far better option than just killing healthy animals to get rid of them.

[Mattk]

I agree Eddie.

We need to remember that at the end of the day they are 'wild' animals that we choose to bring into our homes. This is why we see the horror stories of attacks.
Whilst it is a shame that the dogs are destroyed I also feel it is an accident waiting to happen.

[Prudie]

Although I find it very sad you need to understand how these dogs are trained. I have worked at an establishment for many years that until recent cuts was guarded by MOD dogs (all German Shepherds). These dogs are highly trained and very aggressive to anyone other than their handlers. They are never let off the lead and spend most of their life kennelled. When they go past their working age then they are cast, only the most passive are even considered for rehoming with their handlers. It's the same for their horses. I believe it's based on the military's view that it's better to put them down rather than risk them being mistreated. Anyway I wouldn't risk having one. As for the Sun's campaign it's based on ignorance of the facts IMO.

[ummmm]

We had a highly trained guard dog. She couldn't have lived with any other family.

She'd go on guard if she heard a raised voice...

[EDDIE51]

As Purdie says these dogs are trained to be aggressive unless they are with one particular handler they can not be reliably retrained, they will always be aggressive once that handler is no longer with them.
Ratty 2E once these dogs are off the lead they are trained to attack anyone they see apart from the handler, the release from the lead IS the signal to attack!.

[woofgang]

are these dogs happy in their work and working life? serious question.

[Prudie]

I've had that conversation with our guards many times woof. I don't believe they can honestly say yes. Not the ones that are just there to guard property anyway.

[McMouse]

Not all military dogs are 'attack dogs'. In my experience dogs have been trained to sniff out explosives, as 'pointers' in jungle or dense bush, as rescue dogs etc. I could go on. These animals deserve a happy and comfortable retirement. I would add that some special forces personnel are far more dangerous than attack dogs and were don't routinely put down ex SAS and SBS on retirement.

[Prudie]

A fair point point mcmouse but I think the dogs in question are those solely used for guarding/attack. The sniffers etc are not part of this scheme.

[EDDIE51]

Yes. this is solely the guard dogs (attack dogs) the sniffer/ search dogs make excellent pets and are always rehomed.