A dog has just captured the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, one of the world's most wanted people.
The dog, whose name is currently classified (but is suspected by multiple news sources to be "Conan"), is a Belgian Malinois. This breed is commonly used in the United States military to protect troops, detect explosives, and search for enemies. Ron Aiello, President of the United States War Dogs Association, stated that these dogs are prized for their ability to be aggressive on command and for their intelligence.
The dog followed Baghdadi as he tried to escape by fleeing into underground tunnels. The dog was injured during the capture when Baghdadi detonated his suicide vest and is currently being treated by vets and sustained minor injuries.
Dogs play a vital role in aiding the military; they are very loyal and make amazing team players. Dogs are reported to have 10 to 20 times the amount of receptors in their noses as a human. Using their exceptional sense of smell, a dog can detect intruders up to 200 meters away when there is no wind and 1000 meters away when there is wind. Dogs are also able to go places where humans can’t, such as into small spaces or underneath fences, and can intimidate enemies with a non-lethal force. Because of these traits, dogs are trained for many military duties.
Aiello, who served in the Vietnam War, states that dogs are "on the first line of defense" and save countless lives by walking in front of humans to ensure they don't enter danger. Military dogs usually serve about 6 to 8 years; after, they are put up for adoption, and their expenses are no longer paid for. The United States War Dogs Association, run by Aiello, is a nonprofit that funds medical care and educates the public about the important role of a man's best friend in war. The organization also just began a program to train military dogs to comfort veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Thank you, military dogs!
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