I have yet to write my own dairy, but I'm jumping in because this is important and I haven't seen it mentioned here. There is a solider here in the Twin Cities who found a terrified puppy near a burning garbage heap in Baghdad and rescued it, no doubt saving it's life. This is against military rules, but apparently not uncommon (understandably). She named him Ratchet.
Last Wednesday, Ratchet was supposed to be airlifted out and home to Minnesota to await Sgt Beberg's return. The whole thing was privately funded. As the convoy with Ratchet on it was leaving, military officers ordered it stopped and removed the dog. They have since taken him from Sgt Beberg, who has no idea where he is. However, it is reported that he is still alive.
Ratchet has all of the correct vaccinations and paperwork to come to the US. Soldiers flying dogs home from Iraq is hardly an uncommon event - that flight alone had 14 others. In fact, Operation Baghdad Pups has said that this is the only time they have ever had an animal stopped on its way to the airport. (Sadly, 36 have been destroyed before they could get final approval.)
Sgt Beberg returns to the US at the end of October. (She is currently serving an additional 15 months added on due to the stop-loss policy.) If Ratchet is not on the flight next Wednesday, he will have to be abandoned, which means certain death. That is if he is not shot first by the military, which is what they have done to other animals.
How can anyone who cares about our soldiers not be outraged by this story? At a time when PTSD and other mental and emotional problems are affecting our soldiers at record rates, why would anyone want to further traumatize them? The dogs' trips home are privately funded. If soldiers break the rules, they can be held responsible under military code, but to kill the dogs? Especially when so many have been allowed to leave. Do they want Sgt Beberg and Ratchet held up as an example?
The only hope for Ratchet is to get a military order to let him come home. If you live in Minnesota, please call Sens Klobachar and Coleman, and Rep Ellison. Again, he has to get out on Wednesday!
Click here to read the story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
There is also an online petition here
This seems like such an easy way to actually support our troops - step back and let them save the animals who have helped them so much