Army dog survives 'contract killing'

News Australia ^ | March 25, 2004 | From correspondents in London

[ItsMyVoteDammit]

AN English springer spaniel with a talent for sniffing out guns, ammunition and explosives in Iraq has survived a suspected contract killing, a British newspaper reported today.

Blaze, who is serving with British forces in southern Iraq, escaped with only cuts and bruises after the would-be killer roared up in a car, "deliberately swerved" and hit him, The Sun said, quoting military sources.

"There is no doubt that this was a deliberate assassination attempt," a senior army officer was quoted as saying. "We are convinced that there was a price on Blaze's head."

The incident took place on a road in Al-Zubayr, southwest of Basra city, the headquarters for 8,800 British troops who occupy oil-rich southern Iraq, the newspaper said.

Blaze is among several sniffer dogs brought to Iraq by the British army to help find weapons and explosives. Each costs STG25,000 ($A61,600) to train.

[Tax-chick]

There was a hit on a drug-sniffing dog out in Missouri a few years ago. Someone set up an "undercover" meeting with the State Police officer/handler, and when he showed up, they shot the dog. Not very nice.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I have nothing but pity for a people who hate dogs.

[Skip Ripley]

There was a contract on Ginger, the drug sniffing dog that Jack Webb trained on "Dragnet"

At least that's what was claimed in the epilogue of the show that featured her. She busted that trumpet player from the "Merv Griffin Show" because he had a bunch of pot hidden behined a switch plate.

[Tax-chick]

Boy, that was a lot of years ago!

[CasearianDaoist]

They should shoot the driver.

[Tax-chick]

Sorry, you lost me there.

[CasearianDaoist]

I meant whoever killed the dog.

[Tax-chick]

Got it, thanks. Maybe he got away ... otherwise, it would be good if they'd shot him!

[monday]

"I meant whoever killed the dog."

The dog in the article survived. What are you talking about?