Ratchet is a floppy-eared puppy, rescued from a burning trash heap in Iraq. Thanks to an international campaign on his behalf, he may soon be living in the United States.
Ratchet was rescued by Army Sergeant Gwen Beberg, of Minneapolis, and another soldier. They are among the many troops stationed in Iraq who have formed deep bonds with animals there. However, under Defense Department rules, active-duty troops are not allowed to care for animals in-theater or take them home.
The SPCA’s Operation Baghdad Pups works to bring rescued animals to the U.S. to be reunited with their owners. It tried to collect Ratchet two weeks ago, but a military convoy carrying the dog to the airport was intercepted by a U.S. commander and sent back to base. (A spokesman denied that the military had prevented Ratchet from leaving.)
Ratchet’s plight has become widely known, and over 45,000 people to date have signed an online petition asking the Army to let Ratchet come to the U.S. In addition, both of Beberg’s state senators, Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Norm Coleman, wrote letters to the Army on Ratchet’s behalf.
The SPCA International says that the military finally cleared Ratchet to leave, but too late for the flight scheduled to take him, which left with six other dogs. So far, Operation Baghdad Pups has been able to bring over 50 dogs and cats to the U.S. The group says its work benefits both the animals, which are vulnerable to abuse when left behind, and the troops who care for them.
Sgt. Beberg, who is scheduled to return home next month, is “ecstatic” that Ratchet has been cleared to come to the U.S. Operation Baghdad Pups says it hopes to get Ratchet out of Iraq as soon as this Sunday. I hope that all goes well and they are happily reunited here.
Pingback: folo