Cambodia's dog-tired demining mission needs fresh recruits, cash

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's star landmine-detection dogs are in financial trouble and urgently need fresh recruits and donations to keep the programme running smoothly, a senior official said Monday.

Khem Sophoan, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre director, said the 102 mine-detection dogs working in one of the most heavily mined countries in the world were aging, while the landmine problem remained serious.

'Dogs are just like people - when they get old, they have to retire,' he said. 'We love our dogs, and they never fail us.'

Experts estimate Cambodia still has between 4 million and 6 million unexploded mines, which kill and maim about 400 people each year.

The dogs, mainly imported shepherd crosses, are unmatched for their ability to detect explosives buried deep underground or located in rocky areas strewn with shrapnel, according to the centre.

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Here's the link for those who want to read more:

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1429373.php/Cambodias_dog-tired_demining_mission_needs_fresh_recruits_cash_

I didn't think this was quite LBN material, but wanted to post it....