Dog-Handler Recounts Abu Ghraib Conditions

[Judi Lynn]

Dog-Handler Recounts Abu Ghraib Conditions
Prosecution Rests After Military Dog-Handler Testifies on Chaotic Environment at Abu Ghraib

By DAVID DISHNEAU

FORT MEADE, Md. Mar 15, 2006 (AP)— A senior military dog-handler testified Wednesday that he was deeply troubled when he and his dog were thrust into the loud, chaotic environment of an interrogation at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Navy Chief Petty Officer William Kimbro was one of the final prosecution witnesses in the court-martial of another dog-handler, Army Sgt. Michael J. Smith, who is accused of using his dog to harass, threaten and assault detainees from November 2003 to January 2004.

Kimbro recalled being sent into the prison to search cells for explosives. He said the screaming and yelling agitated his dog so much that the dog went after an interrogator, gripping her arm in its mouth. He said he quickly left after one of the interrogators threatened the prisoner with the dog.

"To me, it's a wrong thing to do," Kimbro said. "It's my morals. It's my morals and it's my professional opinion. It's wrong to use your dog in any way that the dog is not trained to do."
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1728745

[Lerkfish]

1. im glad he's concerned about how his dog is treated.

and how the prisoners were treated. I just find it odd that out of all that he's concerned about how it affects the dog's training

[aden_nak]

2. It's not as odd to me. Many of those dogs require years of training.

And often their handlers develop very close relationships with them. To most of these people, their dog is as important to them as a human partner would be. But in many ways more vulnerable, because the dog doesn't have the same rights or the same ability to function without a handler that a human partner would.

[saigon68]

3. Their "Handlers" errr are WAR CRIMINALS

10:52 p.m., Dec. 12, 2003. Photo of above mentioned at hard site. SOLDIER(S): SGT SMITH and his dog Marko



10:47 p.m. Dec. 12, 2003. Two dog handlers have dogs watching detainee, while GRANER orders detainee to floor. SOLDIER(S): CPL GRANER, SGT SMITH and SGT CORDONA two dogs are Duco and Marko





Sgt. John H. Ketzer, who worked as an interrogator at the prison, testified that he followed the sounds of screaming to a cell where Smith's black Belgian shepherd was straining against its leash and barking at two cowering teenagers in a part of the prison reserved for juveniles and women.

Ketzer said Smith laughed as he told Ketzer shortly thereafter, "My buddy and I are having a contest to see if we can get them to (defecate on) themselves because we've already had some (urinate on) themselves."
(snip/...)

[aden_nak]

4. I'm not excusing what they did.

However, they were just as misinformed and just as "ordered" to do the things they did as the rest of the guards there. And while some of them clearly enjoyed doing it (sickos), I also know that's not representational of the entire staff at Abu Ghraib. So the question of the title war criminal, I have to ask, does it come down to desire, intent, or action? Even if they thought not taking that action would land them, well. . . in a place like Abu Ghraib? The war criminals I'm interested in bagging are much further up the chain.

[saigon68]

5. Pappas was the big cheese

He is most responsible Unfortunately he has BLANKET IMMUNITY

Higher than him they will die with their boots off in a heated water bed dozens of years from now

Some like Sanchez will get medals for their murders