The Ethical Use Of Animals In Modern Military

Do animals have a place within a modern military? The use of animals as a military asset has occurred since the dawn of Animal-Human cooperation. Their use and purpose have changed dramatically over time, going from hunting companions to chariot horses to armored cavalry to explosive detection animals. However, in this age of gun and rockets, is it ethical for animals to have a place within a modern military’s arsenal? There are many ways in which a modern military can utilize animals in a safe, ethical, and humane way that protects the lives of both humans and animals alike. Within the past few decades animals have been used for tasks deemed too dangerous for humans, have been trained to sniff out explosives, and have been used to treat soldiers who return from combat with mental health issues such as PTSD. However, there are also major concerns with keeping animals near any military instillation or operation. These unethical uses of animals include the use of animals as living mines against armored vehicles and the use of endangered species. I will examine the history of the use of animals within different militaries, present alternative view on how the use of animals may or may not be ethical, and conclude with a position on a proper use of animals within a military. Animal have been used since the dawn of conflict. There are records of animals being …show more content…
Animals could still be used within a military in an ethical way that minimizes the risk to humans while also being relatively safe for the animals. Dogs, for example, can be trained to detect the smell that explosives give off and inform it handler to its location. Another way animals can be used in the military is as therapy and service animals. Finally, animals that possess certain traits can be trained to detect and extract mines without triggering them and can be trained to provide security for a given area and ward off