Dogs are considered the most faithful and loyal animals but they also face terrible reality after serving under the Indian Army. Though they are trained to catch, fetch, sniff and track down criminal movements while serving for the nation, they are denied a honourable life after their retirement.
The India Army gave a shocking response to a right to information (RTI) query that the dogs and horses, which serve for the nation's security by sniffing bombs, hunting down enemies', finding hidden places and fetching evidences are euthanised after a month of their retirement.
The canines after a month of being declared unfit to work are euthanised as it is considered unsafe to leave them in civilian hands as they might have been exposed to sensitive locations while in service.
"Army horses and dogs are evaluated for their fitness with respect to the performance of duties. The animals which are considered unfit for one month active service are disposed of by humane euthanasia," the army said in its response.
Th Indian Army mainly uses Labradors, German Shephard and Belgian Shephards for security services. The logical reasons given by retired Army officers to a leading national daily are that the upkeep of such dogs with the kind of facilities they enjoyed while in service will be expensive and that they are exposed to severe sensitive locations while in service makes it unsafe to leave them in civilian hands.
PETA India CEO Poorva P Joshipura said, 'Animals cannot be tossed away like empty ammunition shells. It is unfortunate that the dogs are euthanised'.