Amidst growing public outcry that the Defence Animal Centre is planning to euthanize three retired military working dogs despite professional handlers offering to adopt them, Humane Society International/UK has urged the Centre to immediately reverse its decision.
The following is a statement from HSI/UK Executive Director Claire Bass:
“We are extremely saddened to hear that the Defence Animal Centre plans to euthanize Kevin, Dazz and Driver, three retired military working dogs, despite outcries not only from the public but from the handlers who worked closely with them. If euthanized, these dogs, who served for years and saved countless lives, will have been robbed of the opportunity to spend their golden years in loving homes. After a lifetime of duty to protect humans, we have a duty of care to them, not to dispose of them like unwanted equipment.
“We urge the Defence Animal Centre to reconsider this decision, and work with the handlers who have offered their assistance to facilitate the dogs’ adoption into loving homes with experienced owners. Both two and four legged veterans deserve our utmost respect.”
HSI joins celebrities who are taking to Twitter to show their support for the campaign including Towie’s Pete Wicks, actors Peter Egan and Kate Mara, and comedian Ricky Gervais who tweeted: “Save these hero dogs!”
