The pullout of Afghanistan has been a failure.  In addition to the left American citizens, abandoned Afghani Partners, and the blind eye America has turned toward the impending human rights violations we know the Taliban will commit, we left behind "equipment" that will suffer immeasurably until finding peace in death at the hands of barbarians.  

The United States always leaves equipment behind when exiting a conflict.  It's not "cost effective" to repatriate the equipment back to CONUS.  The US does not consider Contract Working Dogs as Military Working Dogs.  The are considered expendable equipment, left to rot and die in the host country after we pull out.  These dogs are re-homeable.  The prices paid to the vendors, who have no interest beyond the sale, are almost extortion.  And the vendor is under no obligation to oversee care after the sale.  If they were humans it would be classified as Human Trafficking. Because of the cookie jar mix of contracts and responsibility it leaves a convenient exit for finger-pointing and blame with no accountability.

Take the case in Kuwait that came to light in 2016.  On June 17, 2016, over 24 dogs were euthanized and piled up at the Kuwaiti National Petroleum Company after being kept in horrid conditions.  These dogs were purchased form USK9 Academy in Louisiana and maintained by Eastern Securities in contract with KNPC.  When the contract with Eastern Securities was revoked, KNPC representatives stated someone made a decision it was "cost effective" to euthanize the Contract Working Dogs instead of bringing them home.  Mind you that KNPC was paying $9000 a month per dog as part of the contract. Ultimately no one was blamed and the story went into the annals of history with the next news cycle.

Fast forward to Afghanistan.  The information is still very new and hasn't been completely vetted.  Photographs were released on Aug 30, 2021 showing at least 26 Contract Service Dogs that were left abandoned in crates at an airfield in Afghanistan.  As a working dog handler, I'm filled with visceral rage while wanting to cry and puke at the same time from seeing how we left these noble and loyal animals.  This cannot continue to happen.  Supposedly there are over 50 Contract Service Dogs left there who are as of Aug 31, 2021, being watered and cared for by a contractor and an Afghan family who are working with NGO's to exit the country.

When America left Vietnam we did the same thing to all the Military Working Dogs that served faithfully alongside our servicemen and women in combat.  When America learned about the callous fate those dogs were left to, it mobilized and forced the legislature to act.  Military Working Dogs were reclassified, and now no MWD is left behind.  It's time we held Contract Service Dogs on the same standard.  It is extremely difficult to select a proper working dog.  There is extreme demand market competition for sourcing dogs with the proper genetic drives and health to perform the function of a working dog.  The market comes and goes with economic conditions and other environmental impacts. Most dogs with the proper drives come from European bloodlines, which are still selected for working ability above look or size.  Because these dogs are in ring sport competition as a hobby, only the proper drives and health are selected for breeding.  An economic or environmental impact like COVID stops sport competition and impacts future breeding.  This reduces the supply of dogs available for selection and work.  It's like finding a diamond in the rough, that's what makes them special.

America cannot turn a blind eye any longer.  We need to urge Congress and the Senate to act.  We need to hold the military accountable for any Contract Service Animals in their care.  We need a law on the books to treat these animals as essential equipment so they aren't left behind by the US government.  The US military must bring service contract dogs home.  We also need to hold the contract security companies accountable.  They need to bring their animals home, and not left behind to be tortured and die in a foreign country at the hands of evil, heartless individuals because it's "cost effective".  The contract service companies make TONS of money.  They have the financial ability to bring the animals home and work with organizations to rehome them.  Its from greed and heartlessness that they leave them behind.  We need to urge Congress and the Senate to put the laws on the books to direct the military.  They need to put laws on the books that prevent the DOD, the Dept. of State, and all other governmental entities from entering into a contract with any vendor or contractor that willingly leaves service animals in host countries to be tortured and die.    

Please sign this petition so we can get mass behind the matter to demand the government takes action.  Contact your Representative and Senators.  Demand they look into the matter and instruct the military to reclassify Contract Service Animals as essential equipment.  And demand they put checks and balances in place to ensure that military contractors don't cut and run on their duties for profit.