A Tribute To A Fallen Dog Hero

Hello,

Unfortunately, this Sunday, it is with much sadness that once again, a beloved War dog has passed away needlessly. 'Major' Mike, a bomb detection dog who saved lives in Iraq died October 10th when a bicyclist felt threatened by Mike and shot him with buckshot in his rear.

Mike suffered from PTSD and had no teeth, from chewing rocks. Mike was a ten year old Belgian Malinois. He served with his owner Army Veteran Matthew Bessler of Powell, Wy. When Bessler retired from the military, he got to keep Mike, who was re-trained as Matthew's service dog for his seizure disorder and PTSD.

Both Mike and Matthew had PTSD, and helped one another gradually re-orient to civilian society. It is believed that Mike was the first war dog rehabilitated like this.

Bessler was on a hunting trip when the incident occurred, and a friend was watching Mike. It's unknown how Mike got out of his property. The bicyclist was within his rights if he felt threatened according to the Sheriff's office. There are some inconsistencies in his story: whether there was a 'pack of dogs' as he first reported, or just MIke, and several other details.

Either way, Mike is still gone, and Bessler is left without his service dog companion. There is a go fund me drive that is ongoing for the burial of Mike with full military honors, and the purchase of a successor dog for Bessler when he is ready for that. For more information on the campaign go to: www.gofundme.com/ew6cjw7k.

As the sheriff says, "it's a tragedy all the way around."

http://www.people.com/article/retired-military-k9-shot-killed-powell

https://www.gofundme.com/ew6cjw7k

http://www.powelltribune.com/news/item/14141-service-dog-retired-military-k-9-killed-in-weekend-incident

#MajorMike #Wardogturnedservicedogshot #servicedogshotandkilled #bikershoots #bikershootskillsk9hero