Fortunately, DoD policy has been changed and it is now possible for these dogs to find new homes with masters or families that love them. Police agencies are allowing their working dogs to “retire” with their handlers after their active work days are over.
These policies are certainly more humane than the old idea that once a dog was trained for war, it was either killed in action or put down at the end of its service life. Eli will have a full life with the Rusk's. Private Colton Rusk's most loyal and fastest friend has come home.
“It used to be that the military would put down war dogs because they did not believe the dogs could be rehabilitated for civilian owners even the dog handler that worked with the very dog. Many of the war dogs used in Vietnam met this fate to the everlasting pain of their handlers...”
Good to see that policy has changed.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of that dog...”
“War Dogs on Military Channel”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tqksgs2WzY
“War Dog Tribute”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbMbsPeZuTA&feature=related