Fwd: POLL: PLEASE VOTE - Army intends to injure/kill goats in training

September 13, 2004

Please take a moment to vote in this poll. We were ahead (yesterdays results below,) but I'm sure we can do much better.

Thanks, Rita

Please crosspost.

- Linda Furness

Lepetitchien

Elizabeth Forel

Friday, September 10, 2004 23:31:11

[AR-News] PLEASE VOTE - Army intends to injure goats in training

Do you think the U.S. Army should injure goats to give medics simulated battlefield training? Please vote:http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/3713463/detail.htmlArmy Training Exercise That Injures Goats Causing ControversyAnimal Welfare Group Wants Practice To StopPOSTED: 7:01 am MDT September 8, 2004UPDATED: 5:08 pm MDT September 8, 2004FORT CARSON, Colo. -- A training exercise planned at Fort Carson later this month is creating some controversy. The Army said an undisclosed number of goats will be sedated and then injured to simulate combat wounds so medics can practice treating them. Officials said the exercise will help save the lives of soldiers in Iraqand Afghanistan. "It's very important training," said Ben

Abel, a spokesman for Army Special Forces Command in Fort Bragg, N.C., which is responsible for the training exercise at Fort Carson. Abel characterized the number of goats that will be wounded and eventually killed at Fort Carson this month as "a small amount," but he wouldn't provide a number. He said the training is in compliance with federal animal cruelty laws. The Washington-based Humane Society sent a formal protest to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld last week asking him to block the exercise, said Martin Stephens, the society's vice president for animal researchissues. "We wouldn't be much of a Humane Society if we didn't oppose the shooting of goats for training purposes," he said. "There clearly has to be a better way." The Army has made some concessions, discontinuing similar training using dogs and switching to goats, Stephens said. An informant told the Humane Society that at least one goat will be pushed off a

cliff. Animals have long been used in training exercises throughout Army history. Dogs were once used before being replaced by goats in medic training. "If medics didn't get this training, their first interaction with seriouswounds would be on the battlefield," said Abel. "I wouldn't want to be treated by a physician whose last patient was a goat," countered Dan Hanley, with People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals. After the goats are treated by Army medics, they will be killed and cremated. The medics also spend time at trauma care hospitals in major cities nationwide to gain experience, Abel said.

Do you think the U.S. Army should injure goats to give medics simulated battlefield training?

Choice

Votes

Percentage of 14025 Votes

Yes. If it can save the life of a soldier.

5264

38%

No. Hurting animals for any reason is wrong.

7427

53%

I'm not sure on this one.

1334