Kuwait Times
Photo shows some of the dead sniffer dogs.
KUWAIT: The Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) issued a statement yesterday denying any link with the reported ‘execution’ of sniffer dogs that were supposed to be used by the company according to deal with a local contractor. KNPC official spokesman Khaled Al-Asousi expressed regret in a statement to KUNA that the contractor put the animals to death.
His action has nothing to do with the company for the contract with him has been repealed due to the latter’s failure to meet certain security standards, as stipulated by the contract, read the statement. The signed contract stipulates that a third party will examine the dogs’ ability to uncover explosives at oil installations. The third party has tested the dogs after concealing explosives in some vehicles. But the dogs have failed to detect the explosives, prompting the company to end the contract.
Last week, reports on social media suggested that at least 24 dogs had been euthanatized due to the cancellation of a contract and unpaid salaries. Unconfirmed sources said that the animals were sick and had been put to death for humane reasons. But local animal rescuer and activist, Mimi Mamoun has disputed this account. “The dogs were not sick, only two, three I heard; in fact my Filipino friend who handles the dogs told me that the dogs were healthy and only a few of them were old but they killed them to punished the handlers who has filed complaints at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (shoun) for nonpayment of salaries,” she said.
Another source who spoke to Kuwait Times on condition of anonymity, said the killings were probably connected to the brewing pressure from the KNPC since they were informed that they have not complied with the provisions signed between the KNPC and the contracting company. A local lawyer has filed a criminal complaint asking for an investigation into the deaths of the animals and oversight for the remaining 90 dogs still in the company’s care.
By Ben Garcia, Agencies
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