US bans sending bomb sniffing-dogs to Egypt, Jordan over negligence

The US has stopped supplying Egypt and Jordan with bomb sniffing-dogs after reports of negligence and deaths of the security animals.

“Any death of a canine in the field is an extremely sad event and we will take every measure possible to prevent this from happening in the future,” said the Department of State.

A September report by a Whistleblower indicated the death of three out 10 dogs sent to Egypt in August 2018. Egyptian authorities however reportedly refused to allow US personnel to access the dogs or their kennels.

The US provides training, equipment and dogs, known by their technical term “explosive detection canines” (EDCs) to partner countries to help enhance their law enforcement programs. The dogs are used to detect explosive material in places such as airports, embassies and land borders.

The ban extends to Jordan which is one of the US largest recipients of US dogs. Two bomb-sniffing dogs died because of neglect and mistreatment this year in the Middle East country. The canines died reportedly of heat stroke and poisoning from an insecticide.