Dogs
(asked on 10th July 2014) - View Source
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many dogs owned by his Department were subject to euthnasia in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14; and what the reason was for euthanasia in each case.
Decisions to euthanise any animal in military service are only taken by a veterinarian officer after all possible treatment avenues have been exhausted and where it is considered to be the most humane option for the animal. The only other scenario where an animal would be euthanised is where it is considered to pose a risk to public safety.
The tables show the number of military working dogs that have been euthanised during 2012-13 and 2013-14, and the reasons for doing so:
2012-13
Reason | Number |
Abdominal Catastrophe | 4 |
Aged - Welfare | 11 |
Cardiac Disease | 1 |
Dangerous Temperament | 2 |
Failing to maintain standards (Welfare) – the animal is not suitable for re-homing based on behaviour and temperament, with potential consequences for an individual’s welfare | 4 |
Hip Dysplasia | 1 |
Malignant Neoplasia | 7 |
Multiple Chronic Disease Processes | 6 |
Neurological Disease | 5 |
Osteoarthritis | 20 |
Total | 61 |
2013-14
Reason | Number |
Abdominal Catastrophe | 5 |
Aged - Welfare | 7 |
Cardiac Disease | 2 |
Chronic Gastro Intestinal Disease | 2 |
Dangerous Temperament | 13 |
Malignant Neoplasia | 4 |
Multiple Chronic Disease Processes | 2 |
Neurological Disease | 8 |
Osteoarthritis | 16 |
Total | 59 |