December 2, 2009

The $20,000 K9 Storm Intruder — "a bulletproof dog vest with a wireless camera, speakers and a microphone built in."

"The handler can see what the dog sees and issue commands through the audio system.... Military working dogs are major investments, costing up to $50,000 each to purchase and train...."

17 comments:

Chip Ahoy said...

Oh dear. I feel a photoshop coming on

Scott said...

Peter Singer's idiotic notions aside, does an animal ever have an informed choice to be in a relationship where its handler intentionally puts it in danger of being maimed or killed?

Fred4Pres said...

Tiger Woods should get one, because he has been a bit of a dog lately, will be spending time in the dog house, and his wife can monitor him with the camera, speakings and microphone built in.

Unknown said...

That dog looks like he's having a ball. Sticking your head out of a car window? Child's play.

save_the_rustbelt said...

Nice to see my boy Ben R. giving money to this cause.

Ben's dad is the best dog trainer I have ever met - his dogs always behaved better than my kids.

Bissage said...

A tired dog is a happy dog.

Woof!

Michael McNeil said...

Peter Singer's idiotic notions aside, does an animal ever have an informed choice to be in a relationship where its handler intentionally puts it in danger of being maimed or killed?

The dog could flunk out of school.

JohnAnnArbor said...

A police dog was killed near Detroit recently. They might like these, but they're pricey jackets.

CCMCornell said...

I can only hope that we've just found a new source of funny Youtube animal videos.

Cedarford said...

A dog or another animal that can be trained to do military scouting tasks a human used to have to be employed in is a better and cheaper solution.

Their senses are better than a humans. Several dozen Marines died or were maimed for life in Fallujah doing door to door combat - because they walked right into a deathtrap house with suicide Jihadis hiding under floorboards, in eaves, concealed rooms, behind false walls...

A dog would have alerted and blocked the ambushes and mass casualties.

Yes, it sucks for the unlucky dog who goes in harm's way and becomes a casualty...but better a dog than a dozen American soldiers.

And fuck the animal lovers who argue the contrary.

Skyler said...

I just don't like how the military dogs have priority over Marines for helicopter evacuations.

At least that's what they told us in our staff meetings. I found it hard to believe anyone would obey it, even if it were true.

Expat(ish) said...

@scott - many breeds of dogs have that bred into them. About all of the terrier world (non-miniature), etc.

I saw that vest and wondered if we could get one to fit out mini-labradoodle. We might find out what is hiding under the couch that he finds so interesting. At a nice safe remote distance.

-XC

holdfast said...

C4 - Though an avid dog-lover, I don't disagree with you in the least. Sucks for the handler, though, who may be severely traumatized. Still, cheap compared to a squad of pongos.

Phil 314 said...

But does it dispense treats?

(not to mention belly rubs.)

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

Also, C4, from the dog's point of view I think it's happy to take that risk. Dogs are much braver and more loyal than people. They're closer to the natural world than we are, to a place where fighting and dying for your pack is the norm.

Tibore said...

(*Facepalm*) Do news story commenters try to outdo others in the ignorance department?

Quote from linked story's comments:
"Now, if they could just get that same kind of protection for our human soldiers (aka Exxon cannon fodder) in Iraq and Afghanistan.".

Jesus Herbert Christ... has said quoted idiot never heard of the Interceptor body armor??

David said...

Nice doggie......