WNCTIMES
Serving The Citizens of Western North Carolina Since 1995 
How to resolve AdBlock issue? Military dog hurt in al-Baghdadi raid is K-9 combat veteran
WASHINGTON (AP) — The military working dog injured in the raid last weekend that led to the death of the Islamic State leader was hurt after being exposed to live electrical cables but has returned to active duty, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, who leads U.S. Central Command, told reporters the dog was injured when it came in contact with the cables as it pursued Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel underneath a compound in northwestern Syria.
The Pentagon has not released the dog's name. McKenzie said the dog has worked with special operations forces for four years and taken part in about 50 missions.
He said working dogs like this one are "critical members of our forces." Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Wednesday posted an altered image on Twitter of him presenting a medal to the dog. An all-caps tweet of "AMERICAN HERO" accompanies the photo-edited picture. The image was derived from a photo taken at a 2017 East Room ceremony to honor retired Army medic James McCloughan with the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of 10 men during the war in Vietnam. The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious military decoration awarded to U.S. service members for extraordinary acts of valor.
The original photo of McCloughan was published by The Associated Press. The altered image of Trump honoring the dog was originally posted on the Daily Wire website's Twitter account. The White House declined to comment about the president's tweet.
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
About the author
Marge
Achievements
Remembering September 11th: A Day of Reflection
On September 11, 2001, the world watched in shock as one of the most tragic events in modern history unfolded. In a matter of hours, the skyline of New York City was forever changed, and with it, the ...
Bats and Sugar: Nature's Sweet Solution to Survival
Have you ever wondered how a high-sugar diet, which spells trouble for humans, could be the key to survival for another species? Bats, the nocturnal creatures that often capture our imagination with t...
National Dog Day: Celebrating Our Furry Friends
Every year on August 26th, dog lovers across the country come together to celebrate National Dog Day—a day dedicated to recognizing the joy and companionship that dogs bring into our lives. Whether yo...
NC Lights Out Initiative to Protect Migrating Birds
A recent study has revealed that the estimated death toll of birds due to building collisions significantly underrepresents the true scale of the problem. NC Lights Out September 6 - October 6, ...
Explore the Magic of Fall in Western North Carolina
When the air turns crisp and the mountains of Western North Carolina burst into a kaleidoscope of autumn colors, there's no better place to be than right here, surrounded by nature's finest display. W...