Under the U.S. program, Iraq would receive at least 150 dogs.
The first shipment of 25 was meant to arrive in Baghdad in early February
for deployment near government and critical facilities. Officials said Iraqi
security forces would require 1,000 canines.
Iraq has largely shunned the use of bomb-detection dogs for police and
security forces. Despite frequent mass-casualty bombings, the Interior
Ministry has procured fewer than 70 dogs, most of them stationed in Baghdad, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials acknowledged a lack of appreciation for dogs in security
missions in Iraq. They cited an Islamic and popular perception that dogs
were unclean and hostile animals.
"We will begin using dogs, but not to search people," the official said.
Until 2010, the Interior Ministry has used a controversial
British-origin hand-held device, ADE-651, to avoid the need to deploy dogs.
But in wake of several tests, the ministry has quietly acknowledged that the
device was ineffective in detecting bombs.
Officials said the Defense Ministry has been more willing to use dogs
for military patrols. They said the Iraq Army has received training from U.S
instructors in the use of dogs for counter-insurgency missions.
"It is the first thing that the Iraqis request," Capt. Evan Davies, a
U.S. Army commander who works with Iraqi troops, said. "Their presence out
there, whether they are searching for something or not, is important."
