Hero Dog Veterans Were Saved From Being Put Down Thanks To Government Intervention
By Mustafa GatollariUpdated Nov. 9 2018, 12:05 p.m. ET
Kevin and Dazz were German Shepherds who served their country in Afghanistan.
They successfully completed their tour and were brought back to the UK to try and readjust to civilian life.
But like many soldiers, Kevin and Dazz found reacclimating to society after fighting for their lives every day difficult. It's also no secret that dogs suffer from PTSD as badly as humans do.
Kevin and Dazz couldn't find new homes because they still retained some of their aggression from their past military training.
With no one to adopt them, things weren't looking good for the two pups - they were ultimately going to be put down.
DISGRACEFUL:
Three British Army veteran dogs (Kevin, Dazz & Driver) are to be put down because they can't be re-homed. Two of these amazing animals helped save lives while serving in Afghanistan alongside our Armed Forces. They should be treated like heroes... not disposed of. pic.twitter.com/VNnLiKyKfR
Outrage was sparked on social media over the news and understandably so. These two guys were soldiers and were conditioned to be fighters and once they were brought back to society, they were about to be killed because they became what their government needed them to be?
British publication, The Sun, featured a story about the two canine soldiers, urging people to call for their rescue.
They've saved thousands of lives but now Kevin and Dazz face being put down - help save these hero dogs: https://t.co/Dn3xvFzcA9
— The Sun (@TheSun) December 1, 2017People quickly rallied behind the cause.
Service dogs have saved my life on numerous occasions. We have a duty to save them. Please sign this petition. https://t.co/ABOvA7VVr0
— Andy McNab (@The_Real_McNab) December 1, 2017And it wasn't long before British politician Gavin Williamson from the country's conservative party stepped forth to intervene on the dogs' behalf for a stay of execution.
Death Row Dogs: Gavin Williamson had the army dog handlers into the MOD this morning for a meeting on this. @GavinWilliamson
— Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) December 4, 2017Breaking Death Row Dog news: I'm hearing the dogs' future will be safe. Believe Gavin Williamson gave assurances to the dog handlers this morning.
— Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) December 4, 2017And the puppers were ultimately rescued from being killed.
EXCL Hero Hounds are saved! Def Sec Gavin Williamson in talks with charities as he insists dogs like Kevin and Dazz are "part of the military family" https://t.co/6XkA0UkeRw
— steve hawkes (@steve_hawkes) December 4, 2017Sir Alan Duncan, a member of Parliament tweeted about how happy he was Kevin and Dazz were being treated as proper members of the country's military family.
Thrilled to bits that army hero dogs Kevin and Dazz have been saved. Happy Christmas and happy retirement to them both https://t.co/R0raeKclQE
— Sir Alan Duncan MP (@AlanDuncanMP) December 4, 2017Williamson posed with a story about the dogs like he was about to drop the hottest record of 2017.
The government is now so terrified of another animal backlash story that the defence secretary is despatched to personally pardon two dogs after a Sun campaign. Amazing. https://t.co/gj5yumhmag pic.twitter.com/eXnlqIHVpM
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) December 4, 2017Which people found a bit befuddling.
WHY IS HE POSING WITH THE STORY?!
— Duncan Robinson (@duncanrobinson) December 4, 2017At the end of the day though, for all the craziness, two dogs who didn't deserve to die were saved.
Everything about this dog story is absolute pure delight and I genuinely love that the Sun did a proper old-school tabloid campaign which ends with this photo and two happy dogs.
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) December 4, 2017And that's always a good thing.
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