Proof that a little compassion goes a long way...yet another reason to believe that there IS hope in this world...
Iraqi Dogs Have Plenty of Food After Response To Soldier's Plea
LAS VEGAS -- Just before the New Year, Army Reserve Capt. Gabriella Cook sent an urgent e-mail from Iraq requesting food shipments. Not for her or her unit - for Iraqi police dogs.
"The dogs are starving and urgently need dry dog food," Cook wrote in a Dec. 28 e-mail that said the Iraqi Interior Ministry's only bomb-sniffing police dogs were eating table scraps and garbage.
The response to the canine crisis has been overwhelming: Offers of help poured in from New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, Ohio and New York. One sports gambling handicapper alone ponied up $5,000.
Now, about 30,000 pounds of dog food is on its way to the Middle East to feed a unit of starving Iraqi canines.
Hill's Pet Nutrition has arranged for a continuous, complimentary supply of its Science Diet dog food to be made available at an Army and Air Force Exchange Service site near Baghdad, company official Joyce Waida said Friday.
The food will be used to feed 13 Iraqi Police Academy dogs, along with U.S. military canines in the area.
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The following message is on the Web site of the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society:
The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society has been involved for several days in helping arrange food supplies for the Iraqi guard dogs reported as needing help in several media releases. We are pleased to report that the problem has been solved. We have worked with Mr. Ron Aiello, president of The War Dogs Association and a long time supporter of war dogs on a worldwide basis, and Senator John Ensign of Nevada, a veterinarian and sponsor of much animal related legislation. Both have been instrumental in solving this problem. DHL the company that flies material for the US forces in Iraq had also offered to transport food and veterinary supplies for the Iraq police dogs. The following e mail is being sent to those who have contacted the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society expressing their concern over the Iraqi guard dogs or offering assistance in arranging food for them.
Dear Friends of Animals:
The nationwide response from compassionate people resulting from news stories about the Iraqi security dogs has been overwhelming. The issue of feeding these dogs has now been resolved and we have been assured that Hills Pet Food company will donate food for the Iraqi dogs and have it delivered on a continuing basis.
We therefore will not have need for contributions of funds for food for the Iraqi security dogs. We understand veterinary medical supplies will be needed and we hope they will be donated.
We believe in a “Donor Bill of Rights” that requires all contributions for a specific cause be used only for that cause. Therefore, all funds donated to the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society designated for the Iraqi dogs will be returned.
Some people offering support interpreted the media stories as reporting problems with the US war dogs deployed in Iraq. We want to emphasize that the dogs involved belong to the Iraq police force. The US dogs are reported to be in excellent condition and receive great care from their handlers.
The outpouring of compassion throughout our country has been overwhelming. I would urge every one to support their local rescue and spay / neuter programs.
For more information on the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society programs click on our website at www.lvvhumane.org.
Judith Ruiz
President Las Vegas Valley Humane Society
