Do Military Dogs Get Put Down? What Happens to Military Working Dogs

Military Working Dogs (MWDs) are an integral part of the military's operations, serving alongside soldiers in various roles such as explosives detection, patrolling, and search and rescue.

They are trained to perform critical tasks that save countless lives and help complete missions successfully. Their dedication and bravery are undeniable.

However, the question remains: what happens to these loyal companions after their military service is over? Unfortunately, some MWDs are euthanized due to the high cost of caring for them after retirement.

Their advanced training and specialized equipment make it difficult for them to adapt to civilian life, and their owners are often not equipped to provide the necessary care.

Military working dogs play a vital role in our military, serving in various capacities such as sniffing out drugs and bombs, finding victims of natural disasters, and lifting the morale of injured troops.

Prior to 2000, military dogs were euthanized after their service, but thanks to "Robby's law" and the adoption program at Lackland Air Force Base, they are now put up for adoption.

For another approach, see: Ex Military Dogs

The dogs who have served and those who don't make it past the aptitude tests are put up for adoption, with the dog's personal handler getting the first priority for adoption.

The list of applicants for these dogs is 18 months to two years long, because that many people want one of our dogs.

The dogs are often older and come with health issues such as arthritis, but adopters are given a month's worth of necessary medications to get them started.

These dogs have invested themselves in their work, performing duties that most people wouldn't choose to perform, due to their loyalty and bond with their handlers.

The dogs are put in dangerous situations, but they are the only ones who can perform certain tasks, such as smelling a substance in an explosive to find it before it detonates.

They are saving lives, period, and are the most efficient at doing that.

Some military dogs even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), just like people do, after their experiences in the military.

Heropaws is a new charity that aims to take care of working dogs that have served in the military and are ready to retire, providing a middle step between military and civilian life to ensure a successful rehoming.

These dogs need time to adjust to civilian life before getting their forever home, and Heropaws aims to provide that.

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Before 2000, military dogs were euthanized after their service, but thanks to "Robby's law", they're now put up for adoption through programs like the one at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Collen McGee, public affairs officer at Lackland, says that half of the dogs bred there don't pass the aptitude tests, but that's okay – they still get a second chance at a happy home.

The dogs who have served and those who don't make it past the tests are put up for adoption, with the dog's personal handler getting the first priority. Then, the list is open to other military or civilian adopters.

It's a popular program, with a waiting list that's 18 months to two years long because so many people want to adopt one of these amazing dogs.

Last year, about 430 dogs found new homes, which is wonderful news for these deserving animals.

Because the dogs are older and are often large breeds, they might come with health issues like arthritis, so adopters get a month's worth of necessary medications to get them started.

Daphna Nachminovitch, vice president of cruelty investigations at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says that these dogs have invested themselves in their work, performing duties that most people wouldn't choose to do, all because of their loyalty and bond with their handlers.