A two-year-old Army dog named Axel was killed in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir on July 30 while taking part in a search operation with a Rashtriya Rifles battalion. Axel was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Army before his burial in the Army Dog Unit he served in.
Axel was serving in the 26 Army Dog Unit in the Kashmir valley and was deployed in a search mission during an anti-terror operation being carried out by the 29 Rashtriya Rifles. While he was clearing the rooms where suspected terrorists were holed up, one of the terrorists in hiding fired at him leading to fatal injuries. A subsequent post-mortem of Axel conducted at the 54 Army Veterinary Hospital revealed that he had more than ten bullet wounds and a fracture of the femur.
Axel was honoured at a ceremony held by HQs 10 Sector Rashtriya Rifles where wreaths were laid by the General Officer Commanding Kilo Force of Rashtriya Rifles and other senior officers. He was later buried in the unit grounds of 26 Army Dog Unit.
How many dog units does the Indian Army have?
In a statement made in the Parliament in 2019, the Minister of State for Defence had revealed that the Army had 25 full dog units and two half units. A full dog unit comprises 24 dogs and a half unit has 12 of them.
What kind of dogs are inducted in the Army?
The Indian Army has various breeds of dogs in its dog units. These include Labradors, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Great Mountain Swiss Dogs. Axel was reportedly a Belgian Malinois breed dog.
What are the duties performed by Army dogs and where are they trained?
There are a variety of duties which are performed by Army dogs and these include guard duty, patrolling, sniffing explosives including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), mine detection, sniffing contraband items including drugs, assaulting potential targets, avalanche debris detection as well as participating in search operations to locate hiding fugitives and terrorists.
Each Army dog has a dog handler with him who is responsible for the well-being of the dog as also to guide it through various tasks that he is to perform.
Army dogs are trained at the Remount and Veterinary Corps Centre and School located in Meerut. A dog training school came up at this location some time in 1960. Based on the breed and aptitude of the dogs, they are trained in various skills before being inducted.
How long do Army dogs remain in service?
Army dogs are in service for around eight years before they are retired. There was an earlier practice of euthanizing Army dogs after they were no longer in active service. An RTI reply in 2015 giving out this information had caused a public uproar following which the policy was amended.
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Army dogs are no longer put to permanent sleep. A PIL had also been filed in Delhi High Court in this regard in 2016 where the then Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain had submitted a declaration saying that the policy of euthanizing the animals was being amended and that the dogs will be rehabilitated.
Do Army dogs get decorated for bravery?
In the Indian Army, animals, including dogs, are eligible to be awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card, Vice Chief of Staff Commendation Card as well as General Officer Commanding in Chief Commendation Card for their acts of gallantry as well as distinguished service. The Dog Handlers are eligible for the gallantry medals and have been awarded Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal for gallantry while taking part in operations with their dogs.
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In the United Kingdom, the highest award for animals in military or police service is the PDSA Dickin Medal. It was instituted in 1943 by Maria Dickin, founder of People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) for any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with British armed forces or civil emergency services. The bronze Dickin Medal is embossed with words ‘For Gallantry” on one side and “We Also Serve” on the other.
In the US, there is a Medal of Bravery, which is awarded to animals and was instituted in 2019. The US also has a K-9 Medal of courage which has been instituted by the American Humane Association.
FAQs
They're trained to perform heroic duties such as explosive detection, patrolling, search and rescue, and subduing a foe. Military working dogs are found in each branch of the armed forces, including the Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy.
How are Army dogs trained? ›
They practice basic obedience and bite work. They learn to release things when told, recognize odors and respond to them with a specific behavior, like sitting. Trainers also expose the dogs to situations and environments they may encounter on an installation or in a combat zone.
What tasks do military dogs do? ›
The U.S. military uses dogs in all branches of the service. Dogs are trained for specific jobs, including tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, and attack. Their work is invaluable, and it's no wonder that these dogs are precious resources.
What do soldiers do with their dogs? ›
THE OPTIONS
When servicemen and women are called for duty, the first and best option in arranging for the care of their companion animals is to find a family member, friend or neighbor who can temporarily take in the animals.
What do dog handlers do in the army? ›
Military dog handlers are in charge of the basic care and training of military working dogs, which are generally used for drug interdiction, locating lost or wanted persons, or bomb-sniffing missions.
Are military dogs trained not to bark? ›
The base provides military working dogs for army, police, custom, airport and other facilities and institutions. It's one thing to teach a dog to sit, heel and roll over. It's another thing entirely to train an animal not to bark in a combat situation, which might reveal your location to the enemy.
Do military dog handlers see combat? ›
Combat missions: The Army may send the dog handler and their companion animal on active-duty missions. This may depend on the dog's area of specialty, but combat is always a possibility as an active-duty service member.
Do military dogs live with their handlers? ›
Since 2000, a military working dog retired from duty can now be adopted by a civilian or law enforcement personnel though most find a permanent home with their handlers. The handler-dog bond is strong as soldiers put their lives in their canine's paws every day. No dog is left behind.
How long is military dog training? ›
K9 troops also have attack training to defend themselves and their handlers. Each MWD must complete the Military Working Dog Training Program. During this 120-day program, dogs are trained for patrol and one other discipline, either explosives or drug detection.
Do military dogs get funerals? ›
After their passing, military dogs are often honored with various actions, such as gun salutes or full military funerals. This is usually done for military dogs who have served with great courage or conducted heroic acts during their time.
Many are trained for dangerous and high-risk tasks such as tracking, search and rescue, explosive detection, patrol, and attack, many of them undergoing explosions, air drops, and heavy-handedness by uncaring handlers. Because of this, many of these dogs exhibit PTSD.
What is the highest ranking dog in the military? ›
Sergeant Stubby – The Highest Military Ranked Dog
He participated in 17 battles and played an invaluable role in alerting American soldiers to incoming gas attacks and breaking up enemy formations. His heroics didn't stop there; he even captured an enemy German spy single-handedly.
Do Army dogs outrank their handlers? ›
The United States military has a long and furry history with military working dogs (MWDs), and remarkably, the dogs usually outrank their human handlers. "It's a matter of tradition as well as military custom.
Do military dogs have a higher rank than their handler? ›
Every military working dog is an NCO - in tradition at least. Some say the custom was to prevent handlers from mistreating their dogs; hence, a dog is always one rank higher than its handler.
Do military dogs outrank their handlers? ›
According to a 2011 blog post by the US Military, military service dogs are all NCO – non commissioned officers – and are given a rank higher than their handler. This tradition is in place to maintain order while training and on missions.
How long does it take to train an Army dog? ›
Military working dogs, or MWDs, are trained for four to seven months in basic skills before they are officially called an MWD. If your dog isn't grasping basic tasks, you can't move on to the more advanced. Basic obedience (sit, down, stay) is the foundation of all further training.
Are military dogs trained? ›
Military Training
Physicians do not attend the same Basic Training required for enlisted service members, but they must participate in officer training.
How are military dogs disciplined? ›
Results showed that handlers rewarded or punished their dogs intermittently. Stroking and patting the dogs were the most frequently used rewards. Pulling on the leash and hanging dogs by their collars were the most commonly used aversive stimuli.
