4 military working dogs died because of "unsatisfactory kennel facilities," Pentagon watchdog finds

February 25, 2026

TL;DR

Four military working dogs died between 2021-2023 due to aging and unsatisfactory kennel facilities.
The Air Force disputes that the deaths were due to neglect, citing autopsies attributing them to pneumonia.
The inspector general's report found inconsistent protection from extreme weather, kennel mold, and poor management of isolation areas.
Dogs at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland did not receive required physical or social activity due to a caretaker shortage.
Behaviors like continuous spinning and excessive vocalization were observed in dogs due to lack of activity.
The Air Force has agreed to upgrade facilities and increase caretakers.

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