NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seven heroic dogs that worked several tireless years as contractors in Iraq for the U.S. Military and Coalition Forces have returned to the U.S. for adoption. The dogs worked primarily in the ‘Green Zone’ sniffing out explosives in vehicles at checkpoints, military bases, the airport and in hotels where Americans stayed in Baghdad. Some of the dogs worked in land mine detection as well.
“We are extremely happy to be able to give these wartime heroes a new life in loving, caring homes after all their years of service in Iraq,” said Terri Crisp of the SPCA International. “These animals played an important and noble role protecting civilians and military personnel in Iraq and they deserve a comfortable retirement filled with love.”
The seven working dogs originally come from South Africa where they were trained before being relocated to Iraq and going to work for a security contractor based in Baghdad. The dogs were credited with finding a rocket at the Al Mansour Hotel in Baghdad which was housing several Americans and members of the media. That discovery may have saved hundreds of lives.
The dogs were retired from service at a typical age for service animals of their kind. Late in 2010, SPCA International learned that these American heroes were living in solitary dog runs with little hope of a happy future. Since then, SPCA International supporters have rallied around the dogs – donating funds to help bring them to the United States and collecting over 7,000 signatures in support of their safe return.
The dogs range in age from 5 to 8 years old. All are in good health, except for one dog, Nugget, whose epilepsy forced his early retirement. All are very well trained and behaved. Currently, three of the seven dogs have adoptive homes awaiting their arrival, but SPCA International is still looking for the right homes for the remaining four.
People interested in giving these wartime heroes an honorable retirement in a loving home can email SPCA International at answers@spcai.org to enter the screening process. For more information, go to www.spcai.org.