Canine Troops Assist To Find Bombs

Dogs Sniff Out Explosives, Boost Morale
Baghdad, Iraq

Dogs are known as Man’s Best Friend.  And in Iraq there are dogs that are exceeding even that compliment.

An Iraqi dog living at COP when soldiers arrived, Molly is a dog that seems to know when something is wrong. “When one of us was badly wounded, Molly seemed to sense it and know something was wrong” recalled First Lieutenant Fernando Pelayo, Soldier with Company E.

This was not the first time that Molly had experienced Combat fire.

“We would move out on patrol and when we would return she would be out front at the gate waiting,” said Pelayo.  Soldiers in the unit seem to have bonded with Molly, and enjoy that they have a dog trailing along when they travel into the south area of Baghdad in the Hadar region.

Molly walks out front, growling at other dogs that have gone feral or are wild, chasing them away from the soldiers.

“We see so many dogs when we are out on patrol, we appreciate that Molly keeps them away from us and keeps things quiet” said Lieutenant Pelayo.   “Molly keeps the other dogs away so that our position and movement is not given away.”  Added Lt. Pelayo.

Dogs do work regularly with U.S. Forces and Coalition troops, but there is a shortage of trained canines, and dogs are normally moved from unit to unit, normally only with a particular unit for a day or two at a time.

“Molly is still young, and learning on the job.  But she has successfully warned us about hidden explosives several times, even so” said Lt. Pelayo.

The soldiers love Molly, and she is a well-regarded part of the unit.