Q&A: Burial of Combat Dogs
Burial of Combat Dogs
Question
In the fascinating article here about the Oketz dogs, the commander says at minute 5:40 that when possible, and if it does not put fighters at risk, they bring back the dogs that died for burial in the unit cemetery. He says this is “very value-laden.” I wanted to ask whether, in your opinion, bringing a combat dog for a respectful burial is a “value-based act,” or whether this is just sentimentality with no connection to values.
Answer
It is not value-based in the sense of an obligation toward the dog itself (assuming there are obligations toward a deceased person). But there is a value dimension in showing gratitude to dogs, just as there is gratitude even toward inanimate things (the Nile, the earth, and other examples from the Sages). That improves the moral character of the person who recognizes the good, even if it does not benefit anyone outside himself. In other words, this is not an obligation between one person and another or toward someone else, but rather something that improves his own character traits.
Maybe there is also an act here for the benefit of the dog’s owner, by identifying with his grief and sharing in it. In that sense, there is an interpersonal element here.