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Soldiers in Afghanistan have found a new way of winding down from combat with the Taliban – competing to see how far they can run from a snarling german shepherd before it drags them to the ground.
The game, Beating the Dog, has been filmed and posted on YouTube and Ministry of Defence websites. It has been devised to raise money for Help for Heroes, the charity that supports wounded troops.
“Everyone wants to have a go. We’re fully booked for the next three weeks,” said Captain Martyn Thompson, commanding officer of the military working dogs unit at Camp Bastion in Helmand province. “Around 50 people have done it, donating around £5 each. The record is around 45 metres.”
Volunteers put on heavily padded antibite suits and a crash helmet to protect against the fangs of the dogs. They begin the course a few yards in front of the dogs, which weigh 9 stone and are first worked up into a state of aggression by their handlers. The goal is to run as far as possible before the dog pulls them down.
“We like camping it up a bit like Gladiators,” said Thompson. “So it’s ‘Gladiator ready?’, ‘Dog team ready?’, ‘On my whistle, 3, 2, 1, go!’ Then they charge.”
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Just to let everyone that the leading male for May is Capt Stone who managed 65 metres before he did his superman impression after getting hit by Reese. Maj Porter is the leading female who we are sure was feeding our dog biscuits before hand. June will bring fresh meat. Gladiators Ready!
frank holmes, North Petherton, Glorious England
Hi,
Just to say my husband is on of the handlers out there and I wish to say that they are all missed both men & women and the dogs. The dogs will be having great fun & it is for such a worthwhile cause. I am a co-ordinator for Help For Heroes in Lincolnshire and every penny counts.
tarnia heyhoe, coningsby, lincolnshire
Bobby, if you move aroung dogs, you must expect to be bitten at times: when they're young, they like to play rough, and some animals act rough all their lives because it's their personality. A couple of punctures in the legs are nothing! Also, these German shepherds are obedient and stop when told.
helene, Bristol,
I know these dogs. Magnificent animals. Funny how they know who to be loyal to and docile with, and on the other hand, who to be aggressive towards. They know friend from foe.
Maybe people could learn something from dogs......
Alan Robinson, Bjerreby, Denmark
When training we were given a demo of Army attack dogs. One person 'volounteered'.
After about 20 yards the dog caught up with him, grabbed him by the leg and shook him like a rat, how we laughed.
He had puncture wounds to his legs through the suit, just to warn anyone who thinks this is 'fun'
Bob, London, England