jamieooh
03-21-2012, 11:27 PM
Reunited at last: Woman bomb disposal expert saves her dog from death-row after they were both blown up in Afghanistan
By Laura Cox
PUBLISHED: 21:55 EST, 19 March 2012 | UPDATED: 08:14 EST, 20 March 2012
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117461/Reunited-The-Iraq-hero-allowed-adopt-death-row-dog-year-battler-ownership.html#ixzz1poTrNnIf
A military dog handler is set to be finally been reunited with the dog she served in Iraq with after launching a high-profile adoption campaign.
Former Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey survived a road-side bomb with her loyal canine Sgt. Rex and was devastated when it was announced that the German shepherd was to be put down by the Marine Corps.
Leavey, 28, completed over 100 missions during two six-month tours in Iraq with the military service dog Rex
The pair finished their deployment together in 2006 and then spent almost a year rehabilitating from the injuries they had suffered together.
Since being discharged in December 2007 Leavey has campaigned to adopt the bomb-sniffing canine so he could enjoy a civilian life with her in Rockport, New York.
'Rex is my partner; I love him,' she told Msnbc.com. 'We have been through so much together … I’ve spent day and night with this dog. It’s a very strong bond.'
The marine’s passionate drive to gain ownership of the dog gained support from veterans’ groups and Senator Charles Schumer, as she strove to cut through what she saw as bureaucratic red tape that she said was preventing her from adopting the dog with whom she was injured with in Iraq.
Her campaign began after Marine officials at Camp Pendleton kennel decided that the 10-year-old German shepherd should be retired because a facial paralysis he had developed would interfere with his bomb-sniffing abilities.
Military officials said they were just following proper safety screening procedures to ensure that a dog with aggressive tendencies was not adopted by an unsuspecting sponsor.
'As a safety precaution, they don't give all dogs away,' Leavey said. 'The dilemma with me is the minute they say he can't be adopted, because he's sick and because he can't work, they'd have to put him to sleep.
'Not because he's too sick to live a good life, but because they can't utilize him so it wouldn't make sense for them to keep a dog they're not going to work at the kennels. I don't want to let that happen.'
The Marine Corps said Monday that Rex has been found to be suitable for adoption and that once the paperwork is completed he will be reunited with Leavey.
We anticipate that as early as next week that Megan and the military working dog that goes by the name of Rex will be reunited,’Capt. Barry Edwards said.
‘We wish Rex all the best in his coming years of relaxation with Megan.'
An online petition set up by Senator Schumer to pressure the Air Force to allow Rex’s adoption received 21,000 signatures.
'Sign the petition now if you agree that these two American heroes should be reunited with all due speed' says the petition request posted on Schumer’s website.
'We salute the Air Force and the Marines for doing the right thing and allowing Rex to be with Corporal Leavey,' the Senator’s office said in a statement, following the decision. 'One canine, one human, both heroes. They should be united shortly and we’re glad it’s happening.'
The Air Force oversees the Military Working Dog Program that provides and trains the dogs that work throughout the military services.
More than 300 dogs a year are adopted by the general public after they have been deemed ready for retirement by their respective military service.
Before the dogs can be put through the adoption process the military services are required to adhere to strict screening procedures to ensure that dogs with aggressive tendencies are not made available for adoption through program.
While the vast majority of the dogs are deemed adoptable, fewer than 10 a year have to be euthanized because of what is deemed to be 'intractably aggressive behavior.'
Air Force spokesman Gerry Proctor said Rex’s case had never reached that stage and was being processed normally given the protocols involving dogs, such as Rex, that had exhibited aggressive behavior in the past.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117461/Reunited-The-Iraq-hero-allowed-adopt-death-row-dog-year-battler-ownership.html#ixzz1poT9tG00
By Laura Cox
PUBLISHED: 21:55 EST, 19 March 2012 | UPDATED: 08:14 EST, 20 March 2012
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117461/Reunited-The-Iraq-hero-allowed-adopt-death-row-dog-year-battler-ownership.html#ixzz1poTrNnIf
A military dog handler is set to be finally been reunited with the dog she served in Iraq with after launching a high-profile adoption campaign.
Former Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey survived a road-side bomb with her loyal canine Sgt. Rex and was devastated when it was announced that the German shepherd was to be put down by the Marine Corps.
Leavey, 28, completed over 100 missions during two six-month tours in Iraq with the military service dog Rex
The pair finished their deployment together in 2006 and then spent almost a year rehabilitating from the injuries they had suffered together.
Since being discharged in December 2007 Leavey has campaigned to adopt the bomb-sniffing canine so he could enjoy a civilian life with her in Rockport, New York.
'Rex is my partner; I love him,' she told Msnbc.com. 'We have been through so much together … I’ve spent day and night with this dog. It’s a very strong bond.'
The marine’s passionate drive to gain ownership of the dog gained support from veterans’ groups and Senator Charles Schumer, as she strove to cut through what she saw as bureaucratic red tape that she said was preventing her from adopting the dog with whom she was injured with in Iraq.
Her campaign began after Marine officials at Camp Pendleton kennel decided that the 10-year-old German shepherd should be retired because a facial paralysis he had developed would interfere with his bomb-sniffing abilities.
Military officials said they were just following proper safety screening procedures to ensure that a dog with aggressive tendencies was not adopted by an unsuspecting sponsor.
'As a safety precaution, they don't give all dogs away,' Leavey said. 'The dilemma with me is the minute they say he can't be adopted, because he's sick and because he can't work, they'd have to put him to sleep.
'Not because he's too sick to live a good life, but because they can't utilize him so it wouldn't make sense for them to keep a dog they're not going to work at the kennels. I don't want to let that happen.'
The Marine Corps said Monday that Rex has been found to be suitable for adoption and that once the paperwork is completed he will be reunited with Leavey.
We anticipate that as early as next week that Megan and the military working dog that goes by the name of Rex will be reunited,’Capt. Barry Edwards said.
‘We wish Rex all the best in his coming years of relaxation with Megan.'
An online petition set up by Senator Schumer to pressure the Air Force to allow Rex’s adoption received 21,000 signatures.
'Sign the petition now if you agree that these two American heroes should be reunited with all due speed' says the petition request posted on Schumer’s website.
'We salute the Air Force and the Marines for doing the right thing and allowing Rex to be with Corporal Leavey,' the Senator’s office said in a statement, following the decision. 'One canine, one human, both heroes. They should be united shortly and we’re glad it’s happening.'
The Air Force oversees the Military Working Dog Program that provides and trains the dogs that work throughout the military services.
More than 300 dogs a year are adopted by the general public after they have been deemed ready for retirement by their respective military service.
Before the dogs can be put through the adoption process the military services are required to adhere to strict screening procedures to ensure that dogs with aggressive tendencies are not made available for adoption through program.
While the vast majority of the dogs are deemed adoptable, fewer than 10 a year have to be euthanized because of what is deemed to be 'intractably aggressive behavior.'
Air Force spokesman Gerry Proctor said Rex’s case had never reached that stage and was being processed normally given the protocols involving dogs, such as Rex, that had exhibited aggressive behavior in the past.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117461/Reunited-The-Iraq-hero-allowed-adopt-death-row-dog-year-battler-ownership.html#ixzz1poT9tG00