Homeland Security to Add to Homeless Dog Crisis

After hearing reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to add 3,000 more dogs to those already sniffing out “bombs, drugs and smuggled cash,” PETA fired off an urgent letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, asking that the dogs be adopted from shelters and breed-rescue groups, rather than bought from breeders.

If DHS rescued dogs from animal shelters, not only would it help curb the animal overpopulation crisis, it could also give dogs an opportunity for an exciting and fulfilling life. When dogs work with someone they like, they have a far better life than if they live in a crate and get a brief walk twice a day, for example. Some police officers hold retirement parties for their dogs, while others treat them like equipment. That’s why we are also asking DHS to ensure that the dogs who are added to its forces are allowed to live in the homes of their trainers, trained with positive reinforcement, and retired properly if they fail the grade, get injured, or grow old. Please weigh in by contacting DHS and join us in asking Napolitano to require these animals to be treated like loyal companions—not like tools from a storage shed.

Written by Jeff Mackey