Commemorating the animal victims of war

Throughout the history of human conflicts, animals have been victims of war. During World War I, dogs and pigeons were used to deliver messages between frontline trenches and further afield.

K-Dog a Bottle Nose Dolphin belonging to Commander Task Unit (CTU-55.4.3), leaps out of the water in front of Sergeant Andrew Garrett while training near the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) operating in the Arabian Gulf, March 18, 2003. This is a multinational team consisting of Naval Special Clearance Team-One, Fleet Diving Unit Three from the United Kingdom, Clearance Dive Team from Australia, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units Six and Eight. These units are conducting deep/shallow water mine counter measure operations to clear shipping lanes for humanitarian relief. The dolphins may be used in mine-clearing work. Pictures of the month April 2003 PP03040027 REUTERS/U.S. Navy/Brien Aho PP03030057 Pictures Of The Year 2003Horses, donkeys and elephants have been used as beasts of burden, while a shocking array of animals – from bears to deer – have been kept as pets in the midst of battle. Today, animals continue to be used to detect explosives, and thousands suffer and die each year in laboratories, infected with biological or chemical agents, or deliberately shot.