Servants -- and Weapons -- of War (dog "suicide" bombers )

[papau]

"It is such a simple task," the insurgent tells the terrified dog. "All you have to do is to put on this explosives belt, repeat the party's slogans, and may Allah have mercy on your father'soul!"

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-dogs10aug10,0,7842758.story?track=tottext

THE WORLD
Servants -- and Weapons -- of War
U.S. forces rely on dogs to detect bombs in Iraq. Insurgents rig them with explosives.
By Borzou Daragahi
Times Staff Writer

August 10, 2005

BAGHDAD — These are the dogs of war.

At a checkpoint leading to the U.S.-protected Green Zone, Gordy stands sentry. The affable Belgian Malinois has a nose finely tuned to detect the nitrates, plastic explosives, gunpowder and detonation cords that suicide bombers use to blow up people.

On a barren stretch of road in northern Iraq, a dog rigged with explosives approaches a group of Iraqi police officers. Detonated by remote control, the bomb tears the dog apart but doesn't harm the cops.

In a war where the line between civilian and soldier is blurred, even man's best friend has been caught up in the combat. U.S. forces hail their trained dogs as heroes, but to insurgents, canines provide the means for a more sinister goal.

Iraqi police cite the recent use of dogs rigged with explosive devices in Latifiya, just south of Baghdad, in Baqubah in central Iraq and in and around the northern city of Kirkuk.<snip>

[YOY]

1. In WWII Russians used this tactic often

Usually it was to take down tanks. The dogs were trained to run under tanks. The bombs detonated and one less Panzer was in the service of the Fuhrer. Inhumane yes, but very cost effective.

Once opposing troops caught good wind of this tactic they shot the dogs on sight...lowering the effectiveness of this tactic.

[papau]

2. One wonders why dogs still trust us...???

:-(

[rman]

3. Right.... dogs with explosives hidden under their heavy coats,

well trained to kindof wonder around aimlessly, taking a piss here, taking a piss there, all the while going unnoticed in spite of their bulky clothing...
Those terrorists must be stupid or something.