1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

A Pentagon Inspector General report released Thursday documented the deaths of four military working dogs between 2021 and 2023 due to poor living conditions at military kennels. This is unacceptable. These animals serve our country with the same dedication as any service member, and they deserve humane treatment and proper care. The investigation examined 12 military base kennels and found deficiencies at every single facility. The most egregious problems occurred at the Air Force's 341st Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, which serves as the military's primary canine program headquarters. None of the 230 dogs at this facility received the required five hours of daily play and engagement mandated by military policy. Instead, dogs were walked only three or four times per week for approximately 10 minutes, spending most of their time confined to small kennels. Nearly two dozen dogs suffered heat injuries at this base alone. The consequences extend beyond individual suffering. Dogs transferred from San Antonio-Lackland to other bases arrived with skin disorders, histories of heat injuries, and spread gastrointestinal parasites that thrive in areas not adequately disinfected. A 2025 study by Army veterinarians found that nearly 84% of working dogs discharged between 2019 and 2021 left service early due to neuromusculoskeletal disease, heat injuries, or fear and anxiety. This represents a massive waste of taxpayer investment in training and acquisition. Robert Dougherty, director of the University of Pennsylvania's Working Dog Center, emphasized that depression is real in dogs and that confinement without physical or mental stimulation is unacceptable. High-drive working breeds need structured programs combining games, strength training, and mental challenges. I urge you to support increased funding for military working dog facilities, ensure adequate staffing levels at all kennels, and demand accountability for facilities that fail to meet basic care standards. These animals have earned our commitment to their welfare.