Rabies death leads DoD to crack down on pets - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Rabies death leads DoD to crack down on pets

Leaders are telling Marines in the war zone not to adopt or interact with animals after an Army soldier’s death in August was linked to rabies caused by a dog bite he received while deployed to Afghanistan.

A Corps-wide message emphasizes long-standing U.S. Central Command orders that prohibit troops from adopting stray dogs. It also reiterates the need for medical attention after any animal-related injury.

“Animals often appear healthy while carrying the rabies virus, enabling a seemingly loyal animal to spread the disease to humans. Once symptoms occur, rabies is fatal, but timely medical evaluation and complete treatment after an animal injury is highly effective at saving lives,” according to the Oct. 13 message.

The Corps’ message comes several weeks after the Army issued a similar warning.

Army Spc. Kevin Shumaker, 24, from California, died Aug. 31 in Syracuse, N.Y., of rabies, months after returning from Afghanistan.

An investigation found that nearly a year before his death, Shumaker’s unit had adopted a local animal as a pet. Local news reports said he told his mother that he had been bitten while breaking up a fight between the adopted dog and some strays, then did not receive proper medical attention after potential exposure to rabies.

“This tragic loss is a grim reminder that Marines and Sailors going into harms way face dangers beyond kinetic combat,” the Marine Corps message said.

Deployed troops adopting stray dogs as pets is not uncommon, despite a standing CENTCOM order established in 2006 that prohibits the practice.

In fact, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a nationwide network of animal shelters, has run a program in recent years called “Baghdad Pups” that identifies troops’ pets and helps provide the medical care and quarantine facilities to allow the animals to return home with the troops.

Marine commanders should remind their troops about the dangers, the Marine Corps message states.

Those at especially high risk include dog handlers, special operations troops, veterinary care workers and all troops deploying to areas with a large population of rabid animals, the Marine Corps message said.