Two army dogs that faced being put down because they were too aggressive to be re-homed have been saved, according to a politician.
The Belgian Shepherds sniffed out lethal IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, while on duty in Afghanistan before being retired.
Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan tweeted that he was “thrilled to bits” that the retired army dogs Kevin and Dazz had been saved from being put down.
The dogs are based at the Defence Animal Centre in Leicestershire, United Kingdom, which is located in the constituency that Sir Duncan represents.
The animal loving minister expressed his dismay over the decision to put down the canines in an earlier tweet that featured an image of his dog, with the caption, “Even my dog Noodle says ‘Save the army hero dogs!’”
A third dog named Driver that worked with the police force could also be reprieved.
“I’ve instructed my department these dogs are to be saved. We’re talking with charities and looking at a programme as to whether they can be re-housed with a handler in a more normal environment.
“We’re going to ensure they have a golden future. We’ll do everything we can to look after animals that form such an important part of the military family.”
“Service dogs have saved my life on numerous occasions. We have a duty to save them,” he wrote on the page.
“In Afghanistan when I was on a patrol the dogs found an IED in front of us, I was number three in line, I was very, very lucky to survive.
“They also saved countless lives when I was in the Special Air Service sniffing out explosives.”
He added that the dogs are an asset when they are on duty, but even more of an asset when they are retired.
“Wherever possible we endeavour to re-home military working dogs,” an Army spokesman previously said. “Sadly there are occasions where this is not possible.”
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