U.S. Marines: Two of 85 dogs ousted from base for aggressiveness

October 10, 2009 by stopbslcom 1 Comment

Previous info on SC Marine base ban and temperament testing: http://stopbsl.com/?s=marine

Ironically, only 2% of the banned dogs on the base proved, through temperament testing, to actually pose a danger. The other 98% of “aggressive”-type dogs were shown to be safe family pets.

The testing was not performed on non-banned types of dogs. If the goal of the policy is to protect base residents from aggressive dogs, why weren’t the temperament tests done on all residents’ dogs? Why weren’t all aggressive dogs removed from base, and the non-aggressive ones left alone, regardless of their physical appearance?

Contact info for Marine Corps spokesperson
Headquarters Marine Corps 1st Lt. Brian Block
The Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
(703) 614-4309
brian.block@usmc.mil

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/10/two-of-85-dogs-ousted-by-aspca-from-south-carolina-marine-bases.html

Two of 85 dogs ousted from South Carolina Marine bases for aggressiveness

October 9, 2009 | 11:26 am

Most of the pit bulls, Rottweilers and canine-wolf mixes assessed at Marine bases in South Carolina this week get to keep their Marine dog tags.

Of 85 dogs from the three breeds checked by experts from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, only two were found to be so aggressive as to pose a danger to Marines and their families. Those two will have to leave base housing. Two others showed aggressive tendencies but one will work with a trainer and another will be neutered.

The Marines have banned the aggressive breeds, because their “dominant traits of aggression present an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of personnel.”

Last year, a 3-year-old boy was fatally bitten by a pit bull at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Owners who can show thorough assessments that their pets present no danger to humans or other pets may get waivers and keep them on bases through 2012.

The pets at the Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot, the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and the Beaufort Naval Hospital were assessed by experts from the ASPCA during three days of tests this week.

“We believe breed bans cannot be effective because of this. We found some really great animals and families,” said ASPCA animal behavior expert, Emily Weiss, who said individual assessments are preferable. “We don’t think it’s a breed issue. We think it’s an individual behavior issue, and what we saw at the base verifies that,” said Weiss, who said it was the first time the ASPCA had done such assessments for the Marines.

“We saw a lot of big, macho dogs, but they were safe dogs,” she said.

Capt. Brian Block, a Marine Corps spokesman, noting what happened at Camp Lejeune, said “having one dog who would do that is not an acceptable risk from our point of view.” He said pet owners at other Marine bases can have their dogs assessed by veterinarians.

“If the dog passes the temperament test, that’s great. The dog gets the waiver,” he said. “We think pet ownership is absolutely fantastic for the morale of our Marines and sailors who live on base. But our point was to make a judgment that it’s not worth it to have dogs that are dangerous on base,” he said.

– Associated Press


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One Response to U.S. Marines: Two of 85 dogs ousted from base for aggressiveness

  1. weigoba says:
    October 14, 2009 at 6:41 am

    http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=65253

    Six-month extension sought for aggressive-dog waivers in Japan

    By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
    Pacific edition, Friday, October 9, 2009

    TOKYO — U.S. Marine Corps officials in Japan have asked for an extra six months to administer waivers that would allow Marines to keep pit bulls, Rottweilers, wolf hybrids or other aggressive dogs in family housing, according to a Marine spokesman in Japan.

    A new Marine policy bans such breeds and types of dogs from bases worldwide, though it gives Marines until Oct. 10 to apply for a waiver to keep their dogs in their current homes.

    Those waivers would expire when the family moves or by Sept. 30, 2012, whichever comes first, according to the policy.

    “We have yet to determine the procedures for our waivers,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Powell, spokesman for U.S. Marines in Japan. “We want to give it the proper thought as to how we will implement it going forward.”

    The request for the extension is, in part, because on-base housing for Marines on Okinawa is controlled by the Air Force, Powell said. The Air Force does not have a similar ban. In such cases, Marine commanders should apply the bans “to the greatest extent possible,” the policy states.

    To qualify for the waiver, dogs must pass a temperament test, such as ones run through the American Kennel Club or the Delta Society, the policy states.

    The request for the extension went to the Pentagon, Powell said. A Marine Corps spokesman at the Pentagon said Wednesday the request is before U.S. Marine Corps Pacific in Hawaii.

    Powell said Marines and families with the dogs should wait for further guidance as the Oct. 10 deadline approaches.

    “We don’t expect it’ll be a problem,” Powell said of the request for more time.

    All families with pets who live off base must follow local Japanese laws, according to the Marines.

    Japan has special guidelines regarding “fighting dogs,” including pit bulls, according to information Powell provided.

    Those dogs — or dogs whose bodies are taller than 22 inches — can be outside only when muzzled and when under the control of the person with them. Those dogs should also be chained or caged to prevent escape, according to the local regulation.