Shaffer
03-08-04, 07:00 AM
When Marines head for war zones overseas, they're outfitted with the latest in protective gear. Now their K-9 units are being similarly equipped.
Since December, all military dogs deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have been issued state-of-the-art Kevlar vests, which cover the animal's body from the shoulders to hindquarters, protecting the heart, lungs and stomach from knife attacks, bullets and shrapnel. The vests weigh about 7 pounds and cost $550 to $1,200 apiece.
Providing dogs with body armor is "a priority because they're hard to replace," said Marine Sgt. Nestor G. Antoine, kennel master at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga.
The Marines' K-9 units in Iraq and Afghanistan are used for sentry duty and detecting explosives. Although no dogs have been killed in Iraq, some have been injured, prompting the decision to provide vests, said Bill Childress, coordinator of the Marine Corps' Working Dog Program. Some stateside Marine K-9 units also have the armor for their work guarding base entrances and civilian airports and accompanying Secret Service missions, Antoine said.
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usdogs063697858mar06,0,4011767,print.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines
Since December, all military dogs deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have been issued state-of-the-art Kevlar vests, which cover the animal's body from the shoulders to hindquarters, protecting the heart, lungs and stomach from knife attacks, bullets and shrapnel. The vests weigh about 7 pounds and cost $550 to $1,200 apiece.
Providing dogs with body armor is "a priority because they're hard to replace," said Marine Sgt. Nestor G. Antoine, kennel master at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga.
The Marines' K-9 units in Iraq and Afghanistan are used for sentry duty and detecting explosives. Although no dogs have been killed in Iraq, some have been injured, prompting the decision to provide vests, said Bill Childress, coordinator of the Marine Corps' Working Dog Program. Some stateside Marine K-9 units also have the armor for their work guarding base entrances and civilian airports and accompanying Secret Service missions, Antoine said.
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usdogs063697858mar06,0,4011767,print.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines