I got an email from my friend of mine about an ongoing petition urging the military to review their policy (or General Order1A) about befriending animals from battle zones. Here is the excerpt from the petition:
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- Ratchet the dog
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- Kindi the pup
From the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, we hear the heartwarming stories of Cinnamon, Lava, Charlie, Boo and Ratchet. They are the dogs of war – pets and mascots of our American soldiers who have rescued and cared for these animals trapped in the chaos of human conflict.
We also hear the tales of heartbreak. The pets and mascots of our soldiers are fugitives – victims a military order that requires the killing of animals harbored by American soldiers in combat zones. The order is shoot to kill.
Army Spc. Gwen Beberg rescued a homeless puppy from a burning pile of trash while on active duty in Iraq last May and named the puppy Ratchet. She says she could have not made it through her 13-month deployment without the companionship of Ratchet. But, Ratchet needed to be rescued a second time – this time from the United States military.
General Order 1A prohibits conduct that compromises characters and morale. This also includes a strict prohibition on the keeping of pets, even though soldiers’ pets provide immeasurable comfort and would clearly enhance morale, not compromise it.
Because of these regulations the military has a habit of confiscating and killings animals rescued by our troops rather than allowing our men and women of the Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much to adopt and take home the animals that have helped them through the horrors of war.
Our troops and their pets should not suffer anymore. Urge the military to rescind this part of GO-1A.
Ratchet was lucky. Tens of thounsands of citizens just like you signed a petition urging clemency for Ratchet. And, after several tries the wonderful people of the SPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pup program were able to secure his release and bring him home to Minnesota where he now waits for Sgt. Beberg’s return.
Many other dogs and cats of our brave service men and women still need our help. Everyone of us, no matter our opinion of the current war is, can support our troops by asking the Department of Defense to immediately end their policy against confiscating and killing our soldiers rescued pets.
You can check the petition in this URL: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/change-military-policy-about-animals
I encourage you, my dear readers, to sign this petition. It only requires a small deed for the soldiers out there. Just like in the case of Ratchet, the support has been overflowing for a single dog and you can make a much bigger difference to help the soldiers and their befriended pets out there. As of now, the petition has reached 7, 527 signatures and still counting. Your signature matters for the soldiers and their pets. I dont know why the US military is making a fuss over these innocent animals. Well, yeah, they can front the security reason for implementing such rule but there are other alternatives that we can that can both have the befriended animals transported healthy and safe and ensuring the security of the soldiers and american citizens too.
I encourage you to support the guys of Baghdad Pups and SPCA. They need our support so that they can help the soldiers and animals there. Through information dissemination and encouraging others to pitch in whatever they can, we can help Baghdad Pups go into their missions and save more animals – just like I have mentioned in my earlier missions – Kindi the pup.
Ratchet’s story should not be a happy ending for him alone – it should be a happy ending to the rest of the animals out there that have been faced or threatened with the consequences of General Order 1A. Here is another excerpt from the petition site:
General Order 1-A (GO-1A) is a set of regulations formulated by the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in late 2000, prohibiting the keeping of animals stating the conduct is “prejudicial to the maintenance of good order and discipline of all forces.”
The other provisions of GO-1A forbids alcohol in nations where its use is frowned upon; bars soldiers from entering sites of religious significance except under special order; bans drug use, pornography, and gambling; bars religious proselytizing; and criminalizes the theft or destruction of archaeological artifacts or national treasures and the taking of souvenirs. These are understandable provisions.
However, caring for an animal or pet should not be among these offenses. The military refuses to help or formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded. Veterans returned from Iraq are committing suicide at twice the rate of average Americans.
A simple signature can help and make a difference to both the soldier and the animals’ lives. Sign the petition and join the cause urging the military to review this ridiculous rule.
Sign the petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/change-military-policy-about-animals
You can visit the Baghdad Pups at this site and learn how to make a difference to the animals’ lives: http://www.baghdadpups.com/
