US troops left dogs behind in Afghanistan to be ‘tortured,’ ‘killed’: NGO

Al Arabiya | Washington

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Biden administration has come under fire by US-based animal rights group after being accused of leaving its military dogs behind when withdrawing US troops from Kabul.

Animal rights group American Humane released a statement on Monday, with its CEO Dr. Robin R. Ganzert commenting on the matter, urging Congress to act to resolve the matter.

“I am devastated by reports that the American government is pulling out of Kabul and leaving behind brave US military contract working dogs to be tortured and killed at the hand of our enemies,” she said.

“These brave dogs do the same dangerous, lifesaving work as our military working dogs, and deserved a far better fate than the one to which they have been condemned,” she added.

The group, which works to bring retired military working dogs home and “pairs veterans with life-saving service dogs” has worked extensively “with the military for more than 100 years to rescue military animals,” the CEO stated.

However, the US military hit back, deeming the reports were “erroneous,” online news media the New York Post reported on Tuesday.

A military spokesperson disputed the allegations and told the Post that there were no military dogs left behind in Afghanistan.

Spokesperson for the US Central Command Lieutenant Colonel Karen Roxberry told the Post in an email that the army’s “priority mission was the evacuation of US citizens, SIV [Special Immigrant Visa holders] and vulnerable Afghans.”