Dogs of war and other military animals should go on parade, RSPCA says



DOGS and other military animals should be included in future Anzac Day parades, according to the RSPCA.


RSPCA president Hugh Wirth said the role of animals alongside Australian troops deserved to be acknowledged on the most special day of remembrance.

Hundreds of thousands of creatures have accompanied or joined troops in every theatre of war. Horses carried cavalry into conflict or hauled heavy guns, pigeons flew vital messages and dogs sniff out bombs and insurgents.

“I emphatically support the inclusion of animals in Anzac Day parades because we owe them a huge debt for having been so good at helping preserve our soldier’s lives,” Dr Wirth said.

The RSPCA lobbied for a decade for an animal memorial now standing at the Australian War Memorial.

“I was present for the opening ceremony and it featured a re-enactment of the Light Horse with mounted troopers, the pack horses from World War II, and the brilliant bomb dogs straight out of Afghanistan,” Dr Wirth said.

“But the most moving part of the ceremony was the release of the pigeons who flew around the dome of the memorial before heading home.”

The RSPCA awarded its highest bravery honour – the Purple Cross – to bomb dog Sarbi, who was lost and later found in war-torn Afghanistan

“Sarbi basked in the proceedings, she loved the attention and her friends, the other bomb dogs, were all there with her on parade,” Dr Wirth said.

Dr Wirth said animals could be still on active service or retired or mascot animals. “We are not asking for them to lead the parade,” he said. “It is sufficient for them to bring up the rear.”

RSL state president David McLachlan said he would investigate the possibility before next year’s parade.

 

 

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