India’s 1st War Memorial For Animals Is Soon To Open In Meerut, UP

Dogs are the cutest, kindest and the funniest to be with. But it’s not just their adorable nature that makes them a man’s best friend. They are equally faithful, intelligent and have the ability to learn and retain knowledge in order to solve problems. That’s why the Indian Army trains scores of doggos that help them hound infiltrators and sniff deadly bombs. The army also hires other service animals like horses and mules to help them with the most difficult task of keeping the countrymen safe.


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Hence, they are treated with respected and honour by the force. Earlier, the Indian army paid a beautiful tribute to 9-YO service dog Dutch after he passed away. Now, in order to recognise the efforts of these service animals and pay a tribute to those who lost their lives in the service of the country, India’s first war memorial for animals is soon to open in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.

As reported by HT, the war memorial will be dedicated to service animals like horses and mules, but mostly dogs. It will recognise the heroics of these animals on the battlefield, devotion to duty and outstanding contribution towards the army in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and in the battlefield during the Kargil War.

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“Approval from the defence ministry is expected soon to construct a war memorial to commemorate RVC animals and men who have sacrificed their lives or have been commended for exceptional gallantry or distinguished service. The land has already been identified in Meerut and the preliminary design has been frozen,” said one of the officers.

News 18 reports that the memorial will come up at Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College in Meerut. The centre is used for breeding, rearing, and training dogs, mules and horses. The centre pioneered war dog training in India in the late 1950s. Officials reportedly said that the monument would be similar to the National War Memorial in Delhi.

“It will be a befitting token of remembrance and a mark of respect and gratitude towards the RVC soldiers (men and animals) who laid down their lives for the country. Several western nations have memorials dedicated to animals,” said the second officer.

Multiple granite tablets at the memorial with have the names and service numbers of more than 300 dogs, 350 handlers and a few horses and mules inscribed on them. The dogs include around 25 killed in action during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the country’s North-east, the first officer said.


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And among the many brave hearts that lost their lives on the battlefield was Mansi, a Labrador who was awarded the highest honour that a dog can get in military service in India for her role in a counter-infiltration operation in Kashmir in 2016. Her handler’s name (Bashir Ahmed War) will also be inscribed next to her on the tablet.

The army has more than 1,000 dogs, 5,000 mules and 1,500 horses and the army has Labradors, German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds in its workforce.

This is indeed a great way to pay respect to the unsung heroes of the Indian army.

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