Ever since the media broke with the news story that Osama bin Ladin has been found in Pakistan and shot, our helpful four-legged friends have appeared somewhere in the story. Since the United States military frequently uses dogs to track down terrorists, illegal drug cartels, and more, it is no surprise that a SEAL dog played an important role in dragging Osama Bin Ladin out into the open and attacking him so that our military could finally put an end to the ringleader of Al Qaeda in the Middle East.
Military dogs are usually heavily armored when they head for the battlefield, and the one that attacked Osama was no exception. The military primarily uses German sheperd and Belgian Malinois dogs although other breeds are used too, depending upon their endurance, strength, and other qualifications that must be met before they are trained for warfare. Should a dog break a tooth during active duty, it is replaced with a titanium tooth which costs $2000.00. Being bitten by a dog with a titanium tooth is no laughing matter, since it can break not only skin, but cut through protective armor a person might be wearing at the time. No wonder a SEAL dog was able to take Bin Ladin down so quickly.
Ironically, in the heart of Islamic nations like Afghanistan and Pakistan, three thousand years ago in that very spot dogs were considered to be not only helpful, but protected animals. Because they were helpful animals, it was decreed that they be treated with kindness. Before Afghanistan existed as an individual nation and before the advent of Islam, it was part of the Persian Empire, the seat of Zoroastrianism. According to the religion’s history, Zoroaster met with King Vishtasp, the ruler of Balkh (Bactria) in sponsoring the reformed religion. Vishtasp soon became a convert, and once the new set of laws took place, the dog soon became an esteemed animal in that region. The Vendidad book of the Avesta details how dogs should be treated by their owners, and if anyone were to ever deliberately injure a dog without provocation, that person was severely punished.
No doubt the SEAL dog will be properly rewarded by the military, with a medal and hopefully a pot roast. In times that call for special help, man’s best friend comes to the rescue.
http://gothamist.com/2011/05/05/war_dogs_wear_doggles_sometimes_hav.php#photo-1
http://gothamist.com/2011/05/04/awww_a_war_dog_helped_take_out_osam.php
http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Animals/dog_zoroastrian.htm
