First Purple Wreath For Animals In War

"Animals are to be remembered and commemorated for their contribution in war zones for the first time with an official purple wreath.
The Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh has been making the wreaths since its ex-servicemen finished four million red poppies for this year's remembrance events during lockdown.
Horses and dogs were used during World War One and World War Two.
Animals are still involved in conflicts across the world.
Factory manager Major Charlie Pelling said: "From leading the cavalry charge into battle; pulling heavy artillery and supplies to the front lines; travelling over mud-drenched landscapes destroyed by constant bombardment; coming under attack from killer hawks whilst delivering intelligence information to being tasked with the killing of rats and mice in the filthy flooded trenches, animals have been used in war.
"They have been forced to check for poisonous gases, have been taken from the familiarity of being a much-loved family pet and been forced into service."
Major Pelling said these animals had also suffered from cold, fatigue, infection, bullet wounds and shell-shock and many had suffered premature deaths because of rationing and restrictions imposed on families in wartime.
"They have also been put to work amidst the screaming air-raid sirens to search for signs of life and bodies at the risk of being buried alive," he said.
"They have been transported to the most unpleasant and obscure surroundings to provide comfort as a pet to armed forces amidst the bloody and brutal horror of war and have been thrown from an aircraft in terror to land in a battlefield only to then have to guard against the enemy and walk amongst the minefields.
"The role of animals in service can never be underestimated.""
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-53236516

 

..smarter..more rational...etc than a lot of humans
....the dogs feel pain, fear and sadness also....
..horses were used in Afghanistan